1
as in abandonment
the act of abandoning
the dereliction by the owners of a once flourishing orchard
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dereliction
Four former Argentine navy officers stand trial for the 2017 ARA San Juan submarine sinking that killed 44 crew members, charged with dereliction of duty.
—
Almudena Calatrava, Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2026
Selling lakes, rivers and other water resources to private investors is a dereliction of duty.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
His dereliction of duty could be considered malfeasance and disqualification from running.
—Joe Soucheray, Twin Cities, 27 Sep. 2025
Central Park, after sliding into dereliction through the 1970s, now tends to itself, thanks to a private conservancy, wealthy neighbors, and its superstar status.
—Justin Davidson, Curbed, 9 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dereliction
Almudena Calatrava, Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2026
Selling lakes, rivers and other water resources to private investors is a dereliction of duty.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
His dereliction of duty could be considered malfeasance and disqualification from running.
—Joe Soucheray, Twin Cities, 27 Sep. 2025
Central Park, after sliding into dereliction through the 1970s, now tends to itself, thanks to a private conservancy, wealthy neighbors, and its superstar status.
—Justin Davidson, Curbed, 9 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dereliction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dereliction
Noun
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Bonner Springs Animal Control announced that an individual was charged with animal abandonment in a Facebook post Wednesday.—
Caroline Zimmerman,
Kansas City Star,
12 Mar. 2026
-
The complete abandonment of Americans in the Middle East while other countries are efficiently evacuating theirs raises serious competency concerns about our post-DOGE government.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The owner of Cosentino, a Spanish quartz-slab giant being sued by Peña and many workers, received a six-month prison sentence for gross negligence in 2023.—
Ethan Baron,
Mercury News,
16 Mar. 2026
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Just one of the complaints, a general negligence suit, names Santorio as a defendant.—
Alexandra Glorioso,
Miami Herald,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Vasarely’s grandson Pierre Vasarely took over the reins as CEO in 2009, and although the museum’s building was designated as a historic monument in 2013, neglect had taken its toll.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
16 Mar. 2026
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Researchers linked later chronic gut issues to untreated maternal depression before and soon after birth, as well as early-childhood abuse and neglect.—
Tom Gavin,
EverydayHealth.com,
16 Mar. 2026
Noun
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That's a break from the typical relationship that has tied elevated energy costs to market weakness since the Iran war broke out.—
Paulina Likos,
CNBC,
17 Mar. 2026
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In another post, Newsom said dyslexia isn't a weakness, but a strength.—
Kinsey Crowley,
USA Today,
17 Mar. 2026
Noun
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In 2023, she was arrested for child desertion, according to a local news report.—
Michael Scherer,
The Atlantic,
11 Mar. 2026
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The officer said there have been an undetermined number of desertions among Cuban personnel, with some seeking to remain in Venezuela rather than return to the island.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
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To soak up the sins of the early morning dancefloor, kudos must be paid to the 24-hour room service.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
14 Mar. 2026
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The country had yet to hold the first Marcos to account for plunder and human-rights abuses, and this election seemed an exoneration of both his and Rodrigo Duterte’s sins.—
Sheila Coronel,
The Atlantic,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Xcel Energy Colorado's Andrew Holder, director of community relations and local government affairs, explained that devices known as re-closers trip when there are power line faults.—
Alan Gionet,
CBS News,
12 Mar. 2026
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Traditional mechanical breakers take milliseconds to interrupt a fault, a brief but dangerous window where an arc flash, or dangerous, high-temperature electrical explosion, can occur.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Reporters here and across the nation routinely request public records to illuminate systemic failings, abuse and corruption across all levels of government.—
Katie Moore,
Kansas City Star,
12 Mar. 2026
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The narrators have soft spots for various failings.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dereliction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dereliction. Accessed 19 Mar. 2026.
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