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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dereliction
The Taylor family arrived at their cabin to find it in a state of dereliction.
—
Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
One verdict is already declared in the Karen Read murder case: The Massachusetts State Police are guilty in the first degree of dereliction of duty.
—Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 17 June 2025
What with weakened teams and consistently pathetic performances, their league form on both their parts has been pathetic enough to be termed a dereliction of duty.
—Tim Spiers, New York Times, 22 May 2025
Already insurance carriers are cancelling homeowner policies and doubling or more the premiums on many others as one consequence of our city government’s dereliction.
—U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for dereliction
Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
One verdict is already declared in the Karen Read murder case: The Massachusetts State Police are guilty in the first degree of dereliction of duty.
—Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 17 June 2025
What with weakened teams and consistently pathetic performances, their league form on both their parts has been pathetic enough to be termed a dereliction of duty.
—Tim Spiers, New York Times, 22 May 2025
Already insurance carriers are cancelling homeowner policies and doubling or more the premiums on many others as one consequence of our city government’s dereliction.
—U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for dereliction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dereliction
Noun
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The sister also had saved newspaper clippings from 1989 about their abandonment.—
Daniella Segura,
Sacbee.com,
23 Sep. 2025
-
Officers helped rescue the child and called local police to report the abandonment.—
Greg Wehner,
FOXNews.com,
23 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Rachel Crafton, whose husband Casey was on the passenger plane, filed the suit alleging wrongful death and negligence.—
Alexandra Skores,
CNN Money,
24 Sep. 2025
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Now 28, tretinoin has reversed the effects of my earlier negligence.—
Essence,
Essence,
24 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Igou is also facing a felony count of neglect of a dependent because her eldest child was allegedly not enrolled in school, according to court records reviewed by PEOPLE.—
Christina Coulter,
PEOPLE,
25 Sep. 2025
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Four of the counts are felonies and carry an intensifier for neglect of a child under 6 years old.—
Chris Ramirez,
jsonline.com,
25 Sep. 2025
Noun
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This relationship between a military’s combat troop and support personnel is a glaring weakness of the proposal.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
26 Sep. 2025
-
Adductor dysfunction — whether from weakness or tightness — can create problems that extend far beyond your inner thighs.—
Dana Santas,
CNN Money,
26 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Mobilization has stalled, with brigades undermanned, and desertion in the ranks is a mounting problem.—
Joshua Yaffa,
New Yorker,
22 Aug. 2025
-
Desperate appeals to Putin In common with many armies, Russia does not talk publicly about desertion in the ranks.—
Andrew Carey,
CNN Money,
28 July 2025
Noun
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Their sins will be washed away by the waters of liberty.—
City News Service,
Oc Register,
26 Sep. 2025
-
Maybe she’s being punished for her sin?—
Keith Phipps,
Vulture,
25 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The Hayward fault is one of the most closely monitored in California due to its proximity to dense urban centers.—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Sep. 2025
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But some issues aren't the appliance's fault, Taylor said.—
Betty Lin-Fisher,
USA Today,
25 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Humor savors an infirmity — a foible, a failing, a venality, a flaw.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
23 Sep. 2025
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The Broncos' late failings weren't entirely on Sean Payton, who was trending towards an F here before unleashing fire and fury on the Chargers with the Nix-to-Sutton fake pitch at the end of the first half.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
22 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dereliction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dereliction. Accessed 30 Sep. 2025.
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