delinquency

noun

Save Word

de·lin·quen·cy | \ di-ˈliŋ-kwən-sē

, -ˈlin- \

plural delinquencies

Definition of delinquency

1a : 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

Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about delinquency

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Examples of delinquency in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web Court records show Morrow was arrested in 1999 on a misdemeanor charge of contributing to the delinquency of a minor in neighboring Butler County. — Carol Robinson | Crobinson@al.com, al, "54-year-old charged in decades-old sex abuse of 2 teen girls," 13 Feb. 2020 According to inmate records, Edwards also was charged with child abuse without great bodily harm, simple battery and contributing to the delinquency of a minor in addition to the animal abuse charge. — Fox News, "Florida man arrested after hanging Navy vet's service dog with electrical cord, punching his son, 16: reports," 5 Feb. 2020 Edwards was arrested on charges of torture inflicting pain and serious injury resulting in death of an animal and child abuse without causing great bodily harm, battery and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. — Nicole Acevedo, NBC News, "A man in Florida allegedly killed a veteran's dog for barking too much," 1 Feb. 2020 Edwards was arrested on charges of torture inflicting pain and serious injury resulting in death of an animal; child abuse without great bodily harm; battery by touching or striking; and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. — Washington Post, "A man hanged a veteran’s support dog for barking, Florida police say," 31 Jan. 2020 This time, delinquencies are coming from a wider range. — Washington Post, "Why China’s Debt Defaults Look Set to Pick Up Again," 12 Dec. 2019 Jacob Lathan, 22, also pleaded innocent to one count of contributing to the delinquency of a minor. — Nyssa Kruse, Arkansas Online, "Arkansas man pleads innocent to sexual assault of minor," 6 Dec. 2019 Household-debt balances have risen every quarter for five years, and delinquencies for student loans are higher than for any other type of debt. — Belinda Luscombe, Time, "The New Way to (Finally) Stop Fighting Over Money With Your Spouse," 31 Oct. 2019 John Mixer, 32, appeared at a Tuesday bond hearing, where Judge Jeffrey MacKay set bail at $100,000 on a felony count of contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile. — Clifford Ward, chicagotribune.com, "Tutor pressured teen student into selling him her Adderall pills, DuPage County prosecutors allege," 3 Dec. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'delinquency.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.