delinquency

de·lin·quen·cy

noun \di-ˈliŋ-kwən-sē, -ˈlin-\

plural de·lin·quen·cies

Definition of DELINQUENCY

1

a : a delinquent act b : conduct that is out of accord with accepted behavior or the law; especially : juvenile delinquency

2

: a debt on which payment is overdue

Examples of DELINQUENCY

1. They tried to steer him away from delinquency by giving him a job in their store.
2. She's been charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
3. a series of minor delinquencies
4. a high rate of delinquency

First Known Use of DELINQUENCY

1625

Related to DELINQUENCY

Synonyms: default, failure, dereliction, misprision, neglect, negligence, nonfeasance, oversight

Antonyms: earliness, prematureness, prematurity

Related Words: carelessness, heedlessness, inadvertence, inadvertency, laxity

Near Antonyms: compliance, discharge, fulfillment (or fulfilment)

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Other Legal Terms

actionable, alienable, carceral, chattel, complicity, decedent, larceny, malfeasance, modus operandi