1
as in neglectful
failing to give proper care and attention
the guards were judged derelict in their duty
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in disused
left unoccupied or unused
purchased an old derelict mansion that was rumored to be haunted
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in bum
an idle worthless person
a section of the city that seemed to be frequented mostly by derelicts
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of derelict
Stephen Castle, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2025
Today, many are boarded up, lying forlorn and derelict or caught in legal tangles between former owners’ descendants; others have been demolished to make way for modern developments, with the antiques and timber sold off by owners.
—Kalpana Sunder, CNN, 11 Mar. 2025
This season, the collection embraces the rough poetry of derelict architecture and the passing of time.
—Gemma A. Williams, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2025
The two lone wolves traverse a wasteland of vast canyons, derelict cityscapes and blazing oil fields, digitally rendered on blue screens.
—J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 7 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for derelict
Adjective
Several pubs, cafes and businesses were shuttered and foliage sprouted from the roof of an elegant but derelict department store building awaiting redevelopment.
—Stephen Castle, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2025
Today, many are boarded up, lying forlorn and derelict or caught in legal tangles between former owners’ descendants; others have been demolished to make way for modern developments, with the antiques and timber sold off by owners.
—Kalpana Sunder, CNN, 11 Mar. 2025
This season, the collection embraces the rough poetry of derelict architecture and the passing of time.
—Gemma A. Williams, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2025
The two lone wolves traverse a wasteland of vast canyons, derelict cityscapes and blazing oil fields, digitally rendered on blue screens.
—J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 7 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for derelict
Recent Examples of Synonyms for derelict
Adjective
-
My parents were off to a party, my younger brother was in bed, and my older sister had a neglectful attitude toward babysitting me.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
29 Apr. 2025
-
Like Fallen Idols, The Carters explores the early dysfunction, trauma, addiction, and neglectful parenting that contributed to each of the Carter children’s issues in adulthood.—
Rachel Brodsky,
Time,
15 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
On his release, Stern went on to spend the 1950s ping-ponging between New York and California, for a time living on a disused laundry barge in Sausalito.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
3 Mar. 2025
-
One of the most powerful scenes in Sugarcane takes place in a disused barn where, over a period of decades, Indigenous children worked under the lash.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
8 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
This was all done with a bum wrist, which posed as an inconvenience to him at times.—
Hannah Kirby,
Journal Sentinel,
4 Aug. 2024
-
Tommy, left to prosecute the case against Rusty, has inherited a bum gig.—
Vinson Cunningham,
The New Yorker,
26 July 2024
Adjective
-
Knight was also cited on suspicion of careless operation of a vessel and violation of navigation rules in the 2019 incident, but the charges were dismissed in 2020, court records show.—
Hanna Park,
CNN Money,
1 May 2025
-
There is no place in our organization for such bias, grudge-holding, or careless voting.—
Paul Grein,
Billboard,
1 May 2025
Noun
-
The beggars, widows, and families with sick relatives who once made a pilgrimage to the gates of the parliament building in the Green Zone to beg lawmakers for help are now barred from entry.—
Ned Parker,
Foreign Affairs,
12 Feb. 2012
-
All the beggars at the intersection of Lee Road and the off-ramp of I-4 are completely out of hand.—
Ticked Off,
Orlando Sentinel,
18 July 2024
Adjective
-
How To Solve Today’s Wordle The Hint: A lazy person.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
30 Apr. 2025
-
Other park pulls include a big mix of kiddie rides and Soak City, a 20-acre water park with thrilling slides, a wave pool, and a lazy river.—
Ashlea Halpern,
AFAR Media,
29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The 33 towns being considered for this project, which are expected to meet final approval in the coming weeks, are all on the brink of extinction with the number of empty and abandoned houses outnumbering those that are inhabited.—
Barbie Latza Nadeau,
CNN,
21 Mar. 2025
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The team had a group task to accomplish, yes, but at every checkpoint, people had to make the decision to be selfish or selfless, and the selfish ones got rewarded while the selfless were left abandoned and miserable on the loch.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
7 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Extra hooks allow the bag to transform into a trapezoidal hobo shape.—
Joelle Diderich,
WWD,
19 Sep. 2024
-
There’s a lot to love about Coach’s viral shoulder bag: the modern hobo style, the soft leather, the distinct shape.—
Lindy Segal,
Glamour,
13 Sep. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Derelict.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/derelict. Accessed 11 May. 2025.
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