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 state’s delinquency rate also exceeds the national average across every debt type, with about 4% of balances at least 90 days past due. — Malana Vantyler, Miami Herald, 28 Oct. 2026 Vu Thanh Nguyen was charged with one felony count of child endangerment and one misdemeanor count of contributing to the delinquency of a minor. — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026 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 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
  • Miller investigated whether negligence in Gwen’s care resulted in her death.
    — Duaa Eldeib, ProPublica, 8 Nov. 2026
  • The lawsuit alleges excessive force, battery, negligence and violation of Maverick Lyon’s Fourth Amendment rights.
    — Daniella Silva, NBC news, 5 Nov. 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
  • When the sovereign default came in April 2022, it was widely described as a sudden shock.
    — Pushkar Mukewar, Forbes.com, 12 Nov. 2026
  • The devices are programmed with Google Search as the default search engine.
    — Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, 12 Nov. 2026
Definition of default
Noun
  • Obstacles, wind, sensor errors, or other system failures can prevent it from completing the maneuver safely.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 8 Nov. 2026
  • Coach Mikey Varas has spent the past week asking his players to confront their failure to reach the MLS Cup playoffs rather than simply count down the days until the offseason.
    — Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Nov. 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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delineations
delinquency
delinquent
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Cite this Entry

“Delinquency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/delinquency. Accessed 14 Nov. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on delinquency

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about delinquency

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