delinquency

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noun de·lin·quen·cy \ di-ˈliŋ-kwən-sē , -ˈlin- \

Definition of delinquency

plural delinquencies

1 a :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

See delinquency defined for English-language learners

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 of delinquency from the Web

In a state-by-state analysis this month, the CFPB found that since 2012, both the median amount owed and delinquencies have climbed sharply among older borrowers.

— gail marksjarvis, chicagotribune.com, "The fastest-growing category of student debtors may surprise you: Senior citizens," 24 Aug. 2017
The coming decades brought white flight and disinvestment, starting with the loss of manufacturing jobs in the 1970s and '80s, followed by the foreclosure crisis, evictions and tax delinquencies of today.

— john diedrich, jsonline.com, "'No face, no case': How one man tried to permanently silence the witnesses to his crimes," 18 Aug. 2017
The charity was issued a delinquency notice July 13, the same day U-T Watchdog contacted state officials to ask about the foundation’s status.

— jeff mcdonald, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Tony and Alicia Gwynn Foundation now compliant with state charity rules," 15 Aug. 2017
According to The New York Times, an internal report from 2016 showed that the excessive insurance charges affected more than 800,000 customers, resulting in 274,000 account delinquencies and 25,000 vehicle repossessions.

— gillian b. white, The Atlantic, "Wells Fargo Owes Customers Millions After Overcharging on Auto Insurance," 28 July 2017
McNatt's roommate Amanda Byrd was charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

— ashley remkus, AL.com, "7-year-old runs for help as teen sister is being raped in Russellville; suspect jailed," 24 July 2017
State court records show she has been found guilty of: contributing to the delinquency of a minor, driving while intoxicated, larceny, driving without a license, resisting arrest, injury to property and assault and battery.

— mark price, charlotteobserver, "Gastonia woman accused in murder-for-hire plot, bond set at $1 million," 24 July 2017
Student loan delinquency rates are just above 11 percent.

— leada gore, AL.com, "$5 billion in student loan debt may be erased due to lost paperwork," 18 July 2017
Adkins remains in custody on charges of child abuse, neglect of a child and contributing to the delinquency or dependency of a minor, according to jail records.

— amelia cheatham, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Mother who drank alcohol with 15-year-old arrested on child abuse charge," 14 July 2017

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.

First Known Use of delinquency

1625

delinquency Synonyms

Synonyms

default, failure, dereliction, misprision, neglect, negligence, nonfeasance, oversight

Antonyms

earliness, prematureness, prematurity

Related Words

carelessness, heedlessness, inadvertence, inadvertency, laxity

Near Antonyms

compliance, discharge, fulfillment (or fulfilment)

Other Legal Terms

actionable, alienable, carceral, chattel, complicity, decedent, larceny, malfeasance, modus operandi

DELINQUENCY Defined for English Language Learners

delinquency

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noun

Definition of delinquency for English Language Learners

: crimes or other morally wrong acts : illegal or immoral behavior especially by young people
: the condition of someone who owes money and is not making payments at the required or expected time

Medical Dictionary

delinquency

play

noun de·lin·quen·cy \ di-ˈliŋ-kwən-sē, -ˈlin- \

medical Definition of delinquency

plural delinquencies

:conduct that is out of accord with accepted behavior or the law; especially :juvenile delinquency

Law Dictionary

delinquency

play

noun de·lin·quen·cy \ di-ˈliŋ-kwən-sē \

legal Definition of delinquency

plural delinquencies

1 a :the quality or state of being delinquent

b :juvenile delinquency

contributing to the delinquency of a minor

2 :a debt on which payment is overdue

consumer loan delinquencies

Learn More about delinquency

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for delinquency Spanish Central: Translation of delinquency Nglish: Translation of delinquency for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of delinquency for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about delinquency

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delinquency

Definition of delinquency

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Examples of delinquency in a Sentence

Recent Examples of delinquency from the Web

First Known Use of delinquency

delinquency Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

Other Legal Terms

DELINQUENCY Defined for English Language Learners

delinquency

Definition of delinquency for English Language Learners

Medical Dictionary

delinquency

medical Definition of delinquency

Law Dictionary

delinquency

legal Definition of delinquency

Learn More about delinquency

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