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

Related Words

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
Whether a consumer negotiates directly with creditors or works with a debt settlement company, accounts may become delinquent during the negotiation process. — Carson Brunson, CNBC, 9 July 2026 Collection agencies frequently purchase delinquent debts for pennies on the dollar or work on commission for the original creditor. — Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 1 July 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
  • The impact is already being felt across various regions, from a delayed start to the Indian monsoon to a temporary halt to Peru’s fishing season.
    — Bloomberg, Fortune, 21 June 2026
  • That meant a delayed return to full activities.
    — Alec Lewis, New York Times, 9 June 2026
Definition of delayed
Noun
  • The fight almost bankrupts the town of Shelby, Montana, which borrowed heavily to stage it. 1930 — Helen Wills Moody wins her fourth straight singles title at Wimbledon with a 6-2, 6-2 win over Elizabeth Ryan.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2025
  • 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
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
  • Most projections land somewhere between late July and mid-August.
    — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
  • At the same time, Rudolph was given a chance to win an important late-season game for the Steelers last year and committed a pair of costly turnovers in a loss to Chicago.
    — Mike DeFabo, New York Times, 21 July 2026
Definition of late
Adjective
  • The closer and title track serve as a belated mission statement, at once tonally busy and capaciously arranged, as if to make the frequency spectrum itself a character in the songs.
    — Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 12 June 2026
  • The journey proves a belated act of self-discovery.
    — John Hopewell, Variety, 17 May 2026
Definition of belated
Adjective
  • For anyone who has spent real time on the peninsula, the statement feels less like political optimism and more like overdue recognition.
    — Rafael Peña, Miami Herald, 15 July 2026
  • This is long overdue for Prescott, who has mostly been a fringe top-10 QB on these lists.
    — Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 July 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 21 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on delinquent

Nglish: Translation of delinquent for Spanish Speakers

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