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 Apartment values appear to have faltered in Oakland, an economic erosion that has unleashed loan delinquencies and even foreclosures in a growing number of instances. — George Avalos, Mercury News, 10 Aug. 2026 And then police wrote her a misdemeanor citation for three charges, including contributing to the delinquency of a minor. — Diamy Wang august 7, Charlotte Observer, 7 Aug. 2026 This glitch marks the latest in a series of administrative failures, following false delinquency notices and incorrect repayment calculations, as major federal student loan reforms are implemented. — Adam S. Minsky, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026 On Wednesday, Azucena Gonzalez, while still locked up at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, was additionally charged with child abuse with no great bodily harm and contributing to the delinquency of a child. — Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 6 Aug. 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
  • The jury determined that Meta and YouTube were negligent in the design or operation of their respective platforms, and that the negligence was a substantial factor in causing harm to the plaintiff.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Nuisance, negligence and harm to residents The largest set of claims in the lawsuit has to do with arguing that the data center damages residents’ health, futures and quality of life in the areas closest to the 400-acre hyperscale AI factory.
    — Ilana Arougheti Updated August 14, Kansas City Star, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of negligence
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
Definition of lateness
Noun
  • Hernandez faces two federal counts of misconduct and neglect of a ship officer resulting in death.
    — Martin Goillandeau, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026
  • More information on reporting educator misconduct, abuse, or neglect is available online.
    — Amelia Mugavero, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of neglect
Noun
  • Their tardiness, which saw the start delayed by half an hour, was continued on the field with India looking like a rabble in the face of the onslaught from Buttler and Brook.
    — Paul Newman, New York Times, 12 July 2026
  • 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
Definition of tardiness
Noun
  • Binface, a serial candidate who has challenged prime ministers past and present, became the default challenger in a field of 34 candidates after the major parties boycotted the campaign as a political stunt by Farage.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Twitch had a simple justification for letting its parent company, Amazon, use streamers’ content to train generative AI by default.
    — Angela Yang, NBC news, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of default
Noun
  • There was widespread concern in San Antonio last fall that a failure to approve a new arena could open the door for the Spurs to relocate to Austin.
    — Jared Weiss, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Reports vary on the exact level of success or failure of Meghan's brand As Ever, but the jam, flower sprinkles and scented candles have become a bit of a joke.
    — Christina Dugan Ramirez , Ashley Papa , Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of failure
Noun
  • Samson described the proposal as a limited first step toward greater oversight.
    — Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • While not every improper payment constitutes fraud, every improper payment reflects a failure of oversight that creates opportunities for fraud to thrive.
    — Sreedhar Potarazu, Baltimore Sun, 19 Aug. 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 20 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on delinquency

Nglish: Translation of delinquency for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about delinquency

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