dereliction

noun

ˌder-ə-ˈlik-shən How to pronounce dereliction (audio)
Definition of derelictionnext
1
as in abandonment
the act of abandoning the dereliction by the owners of a once flourishing orchard

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2
as in negligence
failure to take the care that a cautious person usually takes the ski area was not held responsible for the injury on account of the skier's own manifest dereliction

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3
as in neglect
the nonperformance of an assigned or expected action both sentries were to be court-martialed for dereliction of duty

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4
as in weakness
a defect in character believes that society is guilty of a moral dereliction if it does not care for those unable to care for themselves

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of dereliction For public health advocates like Dumais, the move amounts to a complete dereliction of the EPA’s duty to the public. — Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 23 July 2026 The budget represents a double dereliction of duty by the state’s political leadership. — Dan Walters, Mercury News, 9 July 2026 Bramshill called Nieporte’s claims fabricated and said he isn’t owed any money, adding that his termination was due to dereliction of duty, according to the Journal. — Jason Ma, Fortune, 5 July 2026 Scott Quigley is another poster boy for MSP dereliction of duty. — Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 30 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for dereliction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dereliction
  1. abandonment
  2. negligence
  3. neglect
  4. weakness
  5. desertion
  6. sin
  7. fault
  8. failing
Noun
  • This—along with the callous abandonment of trans rights by Democratic politicians from Gavin Newsom in California to James Talarico in Texas—will hurt the Democrats’ ability to turn out would-be voters on the left, especially among the young.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Sure, Thomas is juggling abandonment issues, a ton of recent trauma, and a ghost in his head only Vision believes in.
    — Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of abandonment
Noun
  • Protesters said that rampant graft led to negligence during renovation work at the Novi Sad station, and eventually to the canopy collapse.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Hwang had barred Rinderknecht’s attorney, Steve Haney, from raising allegations of negligence by the fire department.
    — Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of negligence
Noun
  • Acton has said the campaign used her estranged mother to attack her over a childhood marked by severe abuse and neglect.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Caught in that sensual music all neglect Monuments of unageing intellect.
    — Frannie Comstock, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of neglect
Noun
  • Contrary to Trump’s understanding of leadership, empathy doesn’t equate to weakness but to strength.
    — Kathleen Parker, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2026
  • However, the company expects future models to discover weaknesses that remain unknown today.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of weakness
Noun
  • Mobilization problems, desertion and a shrinking pool of eligible men leave exhausted soldiers serving longer and commanders struggling to rotate forces along the 775-mile front.
    — Samya Kullab, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Mary Cormier and David Butts, of Scott, were arrested and charged with second-degree cruelty to juveniles, child desertion, and contributing to the delinquency of juveniles, the Scott Police Department said in a statement.
    — KC Baker, PEOPLE, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of desertion
Noun
  • Formerly, Christians were taught that greed--that is, the immoderate pursuit and love of money--was a sin.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Per the official logline, in the final season, as the survivors race to bury their sins before rescue arrives and an old flame roars back into town with plans of her own.
    — Denise Petski, Deadline, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of sin
Noun
  • Their usefulness will depend on reliable navigation, robust fault responses and effective coordination between onboard systems.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Instead, this fault lies with the core of Netflix’s business model.
    — Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of fault
Noun
  • In the documentation, the company is candid about its failings.
    — Frank Landymore, Futurism, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The Army report highlighted how the air traffic controller at Reagan National Airport could have prevented the crash, but also acknowledged the military’s own failings and other contributing factors.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of failing

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Cite this Entry

“Dereliction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dereliction. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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