Definition of delinquencynext
1
as in negligence
the nonperformance of an assigned or expected action we received a notice in the mail informing us of our delinquency in paying our utility bill

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2
as in lateness
the quality or state of being late delinquency of our mortgage payment meant that we would have to pay a surcharge

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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 delinquency Other recent studies have linked the legalization of online sports gambling to an increase in bankruptcies, debt and credit card delinquencies, as well as a decrease in credit scores and savings. Suzy Khimm, NBC news, 26 June 2026 Jeffrey and Sherrie Comitz of Mooresville face misdemeanor charges that include contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile and allowing an unlicensed person to drive, according to court documents. Joe Marusak june 20, Charlotte Observer, 20 June 2026 For example, New York Fed data show that the transition into serious delinquency for student loans among borrowers aged 50 and older was roughly 15% of balances in the first quarter of 2026, based on a four-quarter moving sum. True Tamplin, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026 But a New York Federal Reserve study in March found that credit delinquencies, especially among people under 40, have surged in the more than 30 states that legalized sports gambling since 2018, when the Supreme Court overturned a federal ban. Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 21 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for delinquency
Recent Examples of Synonyms for delinquency
Noun
  • The Bellos family, through their Kansas City attorney Tom Porto, filed a lawsuit in late June alleging assault, medical negligence and Sunshine Law violations.
    Laura Bauer July 7, Kansas City Star, 7 July 2026
  • Metz’s attorneys could not be reached for comment on the sentencing, but during the hearing, Jones emphasized that Metz has taken responsibility for his negligence and has felt remorse every day since the shooting.
    Katie Langford, Denver Post, 7 July 2026
Noun
  • In 2024, military and overseas ballots were rejected for lateness at more than eight times the rate of domestic mail ballots, according to the Bipartisan Policy Center.
    Sarah D. Wire, USA Today, 17 June 2026
  • This extreme lateness is really unnecessary and New York State should join 46 of its siblings and use the standard July 1 date (Texas, Alabama, Michigan have autumn dates).
    New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 28 May 2026
Noun
  • The name has been given to residential youth facilities that have faced scrutiny for decades over allegations of abuse and neglect, according to critics.
    Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 8 July 2026
  • This medical neglect is particularly worrisome amid a record-high numbers of deaths occurring across ICE’s detention system.
    Brady Tillett, Twin Cities, 7 July 2026
Noun
  • Target's new attendance point system Target will start tracking unexcused tardiness and absences for its store and warehouse workers in September, assigning point values to violations and terminating any employee who hits 12 points within a year.
    Diane Brady, Fortune, 30 June 2026
  • Fresh out of the gym, the rapper, known for his intense delivery, is particularly chipper during our video call and apologizes for his slight tardiness.
    Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 26 June 2026
Noun
  • The scheme that is easiest to adopt, hardest to lock a customer into and clearest to a security reviewer tends to become the default.
    Teodor Calin, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
  • If Kebe defaults, Almánzar can seek the full award of $110,115.
    Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 2 July 2026
Noun
  • According to Castillo, one of the most significant failures has been the tendency to treat many squatter complaints as civil disputes rather than criminal investigations.
    Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 5 July 2026
  • Spence also appears to be absorbing the blame for broader failures, with Thomas Tuchel’s touchline frustrations obvious and — for a player still establishing himself at this level — that scrutiny is unlikely to help.
    Sarah Shephard, New York Times, 4 July 2026
Noun
  • To summarize, physical AI governance is an extension of operational and safety governance, and the boards best positioned are ones that import high-reliability-organization oversight practices rather than scaling up their AI ethics frameworks.
    Anjana Susarla, Forbes.com, 9 July 2026
  • Kill switches are not magic off buttons and do not replace careful regulation, physical containment or public oversight.
    Tara Deans, The Conversation, 8 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Delinquency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/delinquency. Accessed 9 Jul. 2026.

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