1
as in abandonment
the act of abandoning
the dereliction by the owners of a once flourishing orchard
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Ernst charged public employees with widespread absenteeism and dereliction of duty.
—
Charlie Tyson, The New Yorker, 15 Mar. 2025
Amid this strangulation, Californication, and dereliction, Governor Moore loudly proclaims that the solution is growth.
—John Teichert, Baltimore Sun, 3 Mar. 2025
Lawmakers diagnosed that the principal government dereliction had been the failure to ensure that intelligence was shared across agencies.
—Andrew C. McCarthy, National Review, 1 Mar. 2025
Watching a patient suffer feels like a dereliction of duty to many health care workers.
—Daniel T. Kim, The Conversation, 4 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dereliction
Charlie Tyson, The New Yorker, 15 Mar. 2025
Amid this strangulation, Californication, and dereliction, Governor Moore loudly proclaims that the solution is growth.
—John Teichert, Baltimore Sun, 3 Mar. 2025
Lawmakers diagnosed that the principal government dereliction had been the failure to ensure that intelligence was shared across agencies.
—Andrew C. McCarthy, National Review, 1 Mar. 2025
Watching a patient suffer feels like a dereliction of duty to many health care workers.
—Daniel T. Kim, The Conversation, 4 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dereliction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dereliction
Noun
-
In recent years, challenges from Russian aggression to Chinese mercantilism to American abandonment have revealed just how unprepared a demilitarized Europe is to handle old-fashioned power politics.—
Gideon Rose,
Foreign Affairs,
23 June 2025
-
Global executives bemoan the negative impacts of poor customer onboarding and subsequent abandonment.—
Alfred Kahn,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2025
Noun
-
Boat operator negligence or DUI – The Coast Guard also states that negligent operation — including drinking, speeding, or unsafe boating — can lead to fines up to $5,000 and imprisonment.—
Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado,
Sacbee.com,
24 June 2025
-
In the early hours of June 14, 2017, residents of Grenfell Tower were caught off guard by a deadly fire that would turn the building into an international symbol of negligence and injustice.—
Time,
Time,
20 June 2025
Noun
-
In 2023, allegations of abuse and neglect emerged from a congregate care home in Harwinton that served teenage girls.—
Ginny Monk,
Hartford Courant,
27 June 2025
-
Jail records show the mother was charged with neglect of a dependent.—
Mike Stunson,
Kansas City Star,
23 June 2025
Noun
-
Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses in my responses and give me tips for responding with a problem-solving, curious mindset next time.—
Rachel Wells,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2025
-
The currency pair is expected to swing both ways as the Taiwan dollar gets caught between speculation of central bank intervention and weakness in the greenback, Lim added.—
Jim Edwards,
Fortune,
1 July 2025
Noun
-
During the Civil War, firing squads were common for executing soldiers for desertion; in some cases, they would be blindfolded and tied to stakes before being shot.—
Erik Ortiz,
NBC News,
2 Mar. 2025
-
The arrests come amid growing public pressure for action against commanders seen as incompetent or careless as desertions rise in the Ukrainian Army.—
Maria Varenikova,
New York Times,
21 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
The Lorde’s Virgin birth came on June 27, and it was born with sin.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
27 June 2025
-
As a result, anyone who sought treatment for a physical illness at St. Leonard’s Hospital first had to confess their sins and have their soul cleansed.—
Sarah Kuta,
Smithsonian Magazine,
27 June 2025
Noun
-
The fault doesn't lie with the people that want a new state.—
Kayla Dwyer,
IndyStar,
2 July 2025
-
Waymo vehicles have not been found at fault for a major collision resulting in injury or death and are now deployed in major cities including Austin, San Francisco and Los Angeles.—
Karoline Leonard,
Austin American Statesman,
2 July 2025
Noun
-
But beneath that was a second failing: the Bears ranked 25th in PFF run-blocking grade from 11 personnel.—
Phil Rogers,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2025
-
Peter Johnston, the BBC’s director of editorial complaints and reviews, is examining the failings that led to the film being broadcast.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
20 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dereliction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dereliction. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share