Synonyms of dereliction

dereliction

noun

ˌder-ə-ˈlik-shən 

1

as in abandonment

the act of abandoning

the dereliction by the owners of a once flourishing orchard

Synonyms & Similar Words

• abandonment
• desertion
• forsaking
• defection
• dumping
• discard
• tergiversation
• jettisoning

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• reclamation
• retention
• retrieval
• repossession
• recoupment

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• negligence
• neglectfulness
• neglect
• carelessness
• omission
• laxness
• heedlessness
• remissness
• recklessness
• slackness
• malfeasance
• irresponsibility
• foolhardiness
• mismanagement
• wildness
• malpractice
• incaution
• incautiousness
• misconduct
• inattention
• forgetfulness
• rashness
• mishandling
• inadvertence
• delinquency
• inattentiveness
• inadvertency
• misdirection
• irresponsibleness
• shortsightedness
• obliviousness
• unwariness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• care
• awareness
• caution
• attention
• carefulness
• alertness
• attentiveness
• responsibility
• cautiousness
• vigilance
• watchfulness
• circumspection
• observance
• heedfulness
• responsibleness

3

as in neglect

the nonperformance of an assigned or expected action

both sentries were to be court-martialed for dereliction of duty

Synonyms & Similar Words

• negligence
• neglect
• failure
• oversight
• default
• delinquency
• nonfeasance
• misprision
• carelessness
• inadvertence
• laxity
• heedlessness
• inadvertency

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• discharge
• compliance
• fulfillment

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• weakness
• sin
• fault
• failing
• shortcoming
• deficiency
• sinfulness
• vice
• foible
• demerit
• frailty
• feet of clay
• evil
• stain
• immorality
• imperfection
• corruption
• blot
• blemish
• flaw
• want
• minus
• depravity
• wickedness
• soft spot
• spot
• nit
• Achilles' heel

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• virtue
• merit
• excellence
• perfection
• integrity
• morality
• goodness
• righteousness
• rectitude
• probity

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of dereliction

Internal affairs probe found multiple policy violations An internal investigation found Mercer violated four department policies, including dereliction of duty and conduct unbecoming of an officer. — Andrea Lucia, CBS News, 15 June 2026

This dereliction of duty from the current head of the office is costing the county tens of millions of dollars in lost interest. — Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 May 2026

From an ideological standpoint, the new flag was introduced at the exact time the citizens of this state were just getting a grip on the outrageously incompetent management of the state’s money, dereliction that allowed billions of their tax dollars to be lost to fraud. — Joe Soucheray, Twin Cities, 2 May 2026

The firing of the deputy mayor signals to us a dereliction of duty. — Michael Pfleger, Chicago Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026