delinquency

noun

di-ˈliŋ-kwən-sē How to pronounce delinquency (audio)
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 The beginning of the novel catalogs his traumas, searching for an all-encompassing origin story that might explain his delinquency. — Via Scribner, Literary Hub, 6 Oct. 2026 And a Federal Reserve Bank of New York study found that credit card delinquencies among sports bettors under 40 jumped 26% after legalization. — Shae Lake, Fortune, 5 Oct. 2026 Frequent use of online sports betting increases the likelihood that a household files for bankruptcy and worsens debt delinquency. — Bobby Allyn, NPR, 2 Oct. 2026 Maintenance activity, vendor invoices, rent collections, delinquency and property-level financial reporting should all contribute to a clearer picture of performance. — David Crown, Forbes.com, 23 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for delinquency
Recent Examples of Synonyms for delinquency
  1. negligence
  2. lateness
  3. neglect
  4. tardiness
  5. default
  6. failure
  7. oversight
Noun
  • Many in Serbia believe that the concrete canopy crashed because of flawed renovation work caused by corruption and negligence that prevailed in major state infrastructure projects championed by Vucic's government.
    — MARKO DROBNJAKOVIC, Arkansas Online, 2 Nov. 2026
  • The tragedy, caused by shoddy construction, triggered an outpouring of anger over corruption, the government’s lack of accountability and negligence.
    — Tim Lister, CNN Money, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of negligence
Noun
  • Cohen blames other departments’ delays in turning over data as part of the reason for its chronic lateness.
    — Dakota Smith, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Given our lateness, only a few things would be deemed worthy enough to delay getting to the census site.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of lateness
Noun
  • All of those children were known to the Department of Children and Families and had referrals for abuse or neglect.
    — Kaitlin McCallum, Hartford Courant, 2 Nov. 2026
  • The building already has materials, dimensions, defects, histories, neighbors, owners, previous uses, and established patterns of maintenance or neglect.
    — Julian Rose, Artforum, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of neglect
Noun
  • Berkowitz also shared that Taylor’s greatest flaw was her notorious tardiness.
    — Rance Collins, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Sep. 2026
  • The star’s tardiness usually resulted from her elaborate glam process.
    — Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of tardiness
Noun
  • Heavy Is the Crown resembles a mainstream rap sampler of sorts, and its default settings are the kickback and the car stereo.
    — Dylan Green, Pitchfork, 29 Oct. 2026
  • If competitors across apparel, grocery and electronics follow, agentic checkout could become a default option in most major AI chat shopping flows rather than a feature of a handful of partners.
    — Lauren Schuster, Kansas City Star, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of default
Noun
  • Even if Theranos had a functioning testing machine, the economic model on which is was based would result in failure.
    — Torie Bosch, STAT, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Even among voters who want Republicans to retain control, 17% cited weak AI and data center oversight — second only to a failure to bring down prices.
    — Luke Fountain, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of failure
Noun
  • Practical limits on the oversight powers of a Democratic Congress already have some leaders thinking of other, coercive means of using congressional power to exact accountability.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Projects require careful oversight, and communities deserve a voice in how investments are made.
    — H. Russell Frisby, Baltimore Sun, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of oversight

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delinquency
delinquent
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Cite this Entry

“Delinquency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/delinquency. Accessed 5 Nov. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on delinquency

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about delinquency

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