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

Relevance

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 About one in 20 car loans made to young people are in serious delinquency. Darian Woods, NPR, 13 July 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 With a rising share of new homebuyers overextending their budgets or accepting high mortgage rates just to close on a home, delinquencies are rising. Tristan Bove, Fortune, 30 June 2026 When juveniles joined the effort, he was arrested for contributing to the delinquency of minors. Gary Fields, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for delinquency
Recent Examples of Synonyms for delinquency
Noun
  • Federal law enforcement agencies are generally shielded from legal liability, but there are some exceptions, including some claims of employee negligence.
    CYBELE MAYES-OSTERMAN, ABC News, 21 July 2026
  • Floridians harmed by government negligence deserve fair compensation, and the claims process exists to provide it.
    Eric "Doc" Stelnicki, Sun Sentinel, 20 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
  • Awaiting a diagnosis that never came and drained of funds from a dizzying sequence of medical neglect and malpractice, Hughes could no longer afford a safe place to rest.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 July 2026
  • Then the absence of response is used to justify continued neglect.
    Ray Lansigan, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
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
Noun
  • Lawmakers this session introduced a series of bills that would overhaul child custody and family court — including changes that would codify equal custody arrangements as the default.
    Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 23 July 2026
  • Many respondents missed their hearings and were issued default orders of removal.
    Itzel Luna, Los Angeles Times, 23 July 2026
Noun
  • Given Zidane won the Champions League in three successive years as coach of Real Madrid, anything less than victory at the European Championship in 2028 will be considered a failure.
    James Horncastle, New York Times, 19 July 2026
  • At the time he was arrested, authorities had issued a separate warrant for Milton stemming from his failure to appear in court and alleged curfew violations in a retail theft case, court records show.
    Dan Petrella, Chicago Tribune, 18 July 2026
Noun
  • Multiple audits have flagged a lack of oversight, while a task force of federal prosecutors have brought at least three fraud cases over the use of funds intended to help the homeless.
    Andrew Khouri, Los Angeles Times, 22 July 2026
  • There’s little scientific data on their safety and efficacy, and the many sketchy sellers who distribute them operate with no oversight.
    Amy Feldman, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Delinquency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/delinquency. Accessed 24 Jul. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on delinquency

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster