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
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

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 On Friday, the regular session ended with no action on a state budget, a dereliction of duty that’s becoming increasingly common. Orlando Sentinel, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 Mar. 2026 On Friday, the regular session ended with no action on a state budget, a dereliction of duty that’s becoming increasingly common. Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 14 Mar. 2026 The Arizona Republic cites records obtained from the El Paso PD that purportedly include allegations of insubordination, insufficiency, tardiness, and numerous disciplinary reviews related to accusations of excessive force, dereliction of duty, and off-duty gambling. Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Mar. 2026 This plan, during such a critical period, is nothing less than a dereliction of duty and a further sign of how the Congressional majority is content to be subservient to this administration. The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 5 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dereliction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dereliction
Noun
  • Cost Shock At The Wrong Moment Late-stage price add-ons, especially shipping, are the single most common trigger for cart abandonment.
    Vin Sonpal, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026
  • Kids end up in foster care due to neglect, abuse or abandonment by their parents or caregivers.
    Marla Jo Fisher, Oc Register, 24 June 2026
Noun
  • The motion does not address the core negligence and wrongful death claims stemming from the crash itself but seeks to dismiss claims related to emergency dispatch and allegations Riverside County officials failed to protect the victims after the collision.
    Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 22 June 2026
  • Charges have since been dismissed against three, including Nores — all of whom were accused of negligence.
    Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 22 June 2026
Noun
  • Even if the weather is perfect, summer is a busy season that can sometimes cause the garden to experience neglect.
    Samantha Johnson, Martha Stewart, 21 June 2026
  • Supporters portray the Business Improvement District as a fix for years of neglect and crime, while opponents fear gentrification, over-policing and businesses gaining control over public space.
    Alejandra Molina, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2026
Noun
  • The weakness that began in technology stocks spread through Asia and Europe on Tuesday, while precious metals also came under pressure as investors reassessed the path of interest rates.
    Justina Lee, CNBC, 24 June 2026
  • When the complex was being constructed, there were deviations from the building’s original design, contributing to structural weaknesses, the report said.
    Aaron Leibowitz, Miami Herald, 23 June 2026
Noun
  • The core of the story is the desertion and betrayal of Roseanna McCoy by all concerned.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 Apr. 2026
  • Furthermore, the Ukrainian army is short-handed, facing around 200,000 troop desertions and draft-dodging by around 2 million people, Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov said in January.
    ABC News, ABC News, 14 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The continuation of the Corleone Family saga expands until Michael (Al Pacino) commits the ultimate brotherly sin, but the story’s jump back in time — in which Robert De Niro plays a younger version of Marlon Brando’s Vito — features many of the most iconic sequences in 1970s cinema.
    Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 24 June 2026
  • The movie’s gravest sin, though, might be its very existence.
    Jacob Stern, The Atlantic, 17 June 2026
Noun
  • The devastating earthquakes that struck Venezuela yesterday were most likely caused by a rupture in one of the country’s most active seismic zones — comprising the Boconó and San Sebastián faults, which extend along Venezuela’s northern coast — according to the USGS.
    Will Clark, NBC news, 26 June 2026
  • The second quake produced nearly triple the shaking energy of the first, with the fault rupturing to the east for more than 100 miles, sending quake energy right into the international airport and La Guaira.
    Mery Mogollón, Los Angeles Times, 25 June 2026
Noun
  • Experts stress that silent burnout is a structural problem, not an individual failing, with access to support being a critical barrier.
    Mark C. Perna, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026
  • Social media marketing burnout isn’t a personal failing or ordinary job stress.
    Ashley Hass, The Conversation, 24 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

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

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