delinquent 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of delinquentnext
as in delayed
not arriving, occurring, or settled at the due, usual, or proper time the bank was annoyed because our check was delinquent

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

delinquent

2 of 2

noun

as in derelict

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Dissimilar Words

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 delinquent
Adjective
If the loan becomes delinquent or goes to collections, that can negatively impact your credit score. — Faith Wakefield, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026 The delinquent loan matured in February 2025, county real estate files show. — George Avalos, Mercury News, 20 Aug. 2026
Noun
Which Texas cities rank among the most debt delinquent? — Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 6 Apr. 2026 The Dakota County Attorney’s Office argued the teen should be adjudicated delinquent, while the teen’s attorney argued that the case be continued without adjudication, which the judge agreed to. — Mara H. Gottfried, Twin Cities, 17 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for delinquent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for delinquent
  1. delayed
  2. bankrupt
  3. tardy
  4. reprobate
  5. late
  6. belated
  7. overdue
  8. behind
Adjective
  • After Tuesday’s practice, Purdy detailed how a delayed throw to Luke Farrell got intercepted by linebacker Del-Shawn Phillips off near the goal line.
    — Cam Inman, Mercury News, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The Real Problem Is The Ripple A delayed flight is easy to detect.
    — Ishraq Khan, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of delayed
Noun
  • The expectation is set early in the series, when an alderman who tries to swindle George bankrupts himself in the process, then kills himself in shame.
    — Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 24 June 2025
  • If this continues, the country will become de facto bankrupt.
    — Newsweek, Newsweek, 6 Mar. 2025
Definition of bankrupt
Adjective
  • Pulitzer-Prize finalist Daniel Mason molds his new novel around Miles Krzelewski, married to a Stanford academic superstar, twelve years tardy on his dissertation.
    — Hamilton Cain, Time, 7 July 2026
  • Machado, who was shifted over and essentially playing in the shortstop position, fielded the ball and diverted his route to go put a tag on Hoerner before making a tardy throw to first base.
    — Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 June 2026
Definition of tardy
Noun
  • Unlike Vegas with its cast of reprobates and wackos, this joint is classy and clean and just a wee bit indulgent.
    — David Weiss, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
  • They’re typically retired, sitting on pensions and 401(k)s, and may be naive to the techniques favored by con artists and reprobates who run riot on the internet.
    — Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 9 Sep. 2025
Definition of reprobate
Adjective
  • Others in the Premier League would be happy to find a deal one sixth the size of Liverpool’s latest shirt sponsor.
    — James Pearce, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Earlier plans called for production this summer and initial sales by late 2026.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of late
Adjective
  • With the belated realization that the Chinese had indeed overtaken them in the burgeoning electric-vehicle business, the world’s other car-makers descended into doom and gloom.
    — Jamie Kitman, Air Mail, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Councilman Izzy Patoka alluded to the financial hole that the county dug for itself by its belated adoption of development impact fees and excise taxes in 2019.
    — David Plymyer, Baltimore Sun, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of belated
Adjective
  • The task at hand in this specific moment is a sit-down with this reporter, followed by an overdue meeting with offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher to clean out the back of the call sheet.
    — Paul Dehner Jr, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Leigh carries the legacy narrative, but the film has to prove first that the work is competitive in a year crowded with filmmakers nursing overdue stories of their own.
    — Clayton Davis, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of overdue
Adjective
  • The chefs are running super-behind, so service is slow.
    — Jen Chaney, Vulture, 26 June 2026
  • Like the scrappy bird in their nickname, the tenacious Toronto Blue Jays have clawed their way to 45 come-from-behind victories – most in the major leagues – and 87 overall, tops in the American League with under two weeks left in the 2025 campaign.
    — Dan Schlossberg, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Definition of behind

Phrases Containing delinquent

Browse Nearby Words

delinquency
delinquent
delinquently
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Cite this Entry

“Delinquent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/delinquent. Accessed 10 Sep. 2026.

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