1
as in neglectful
failing to give proper care and attention
the guards were judged derelict in their duty
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in disused
left unoccupied or unused
purchased an old derelict mansion that was rumored to be haunted
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in bum
an idle worthless person
a section of the city that seemed to be frequented mostly by derelicts
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 derelict
Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 14 Nov. 2025
Just a few more blocks away is the derelict CVS that has become a lightning rod of neighborhood fury, a monument to gross neglect.
—Wes Burdine, Twin Cities, 19 Oct. 2025
An old and derelict residential hotel in Detroit that was immortalized in a song by The White Stripes has been shut down by the city.
—Jc Reindl, Freep.com, 22 Sep. 2025
Tens of millions of lives have been upended from derelict disaster response, power outages, inhumane commute times, and the housing shortage.
—Ryan Craig, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for derelict
Adjective
That is the question echoing through a derelict Soviet-era retirement home in Armenia, where a group of residents rehearse for an original play that may even dazzle William Shakespeare.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 14 Nov. 2025
Just a few more blocks away is the derelict CVS that has become a lightning rod of neighborhood fury, a monument to gross neglect.
—Wes Burdine, Twin Cities, 19 Oct. 2025
An old and derelict residential hotel in Detroit that was immortalized in a song by The White Stripes has been shut down by the city.
—Jc Reindl, Freep.com, 22 Sep. 2025
Tens of millions of lives have been upended from derelict disaster response, power outages, inhumane commute times, and the housing shortage.
—Ryan Craig, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for derelict
Recent Examples of Synonyms for derelict
Adjective
-
To do otherwise is neglectful and selfish.—
Carly Thomas,
HollywoodReporter,
8 May 2026
-
Above a certain socioeconomic threshold, not spending an extra $1,000 a year or more in the hopes of doing so could seem neglectful.—
Ross Andersen,
The Atlantic,
2 May 2026
Adjective
-
It is already known that it will be located on the grounds of a disused former nursery and will include a large pond with a pergola.—
Valentine Ulgu-Servant,
Vanity Fair,
14 Apr. 2026
-
The museum will be housed in a disused aquarium in Yeouido, Seoul’s main financial district.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
A lot of these babies have bum agents that lowball them.—
Zak Cheney-Rice,
Vulture,
13 May 2026
-
History buffs, avid hikers, music lovers, wine aficionados, and beach bums will all find a town to love in the Old Dominion.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
9 May 2026
Adjective
-
After an almost year-long investigation by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office charged Pino with three misdemeanor counts of careless boating resulting in death.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
15 May 2026
-
Dahlin earned another interference penalty later, and Zucker’s roughing penalty was careless.—
Matthew Fairburn,
New York Times,
13 May 2026
Adjective
-
Two people were killed and two others injured when two vehicles collided head-on Friday evening along a dusty, deserted stretch of road in the Antelope Valley, authorities said.—
Andrew Khouri,
Los Angeles Times,
10 May 2026
-
And later, the inquisitive head of a couple of snappers (don’t point too close) draws multiple onlookers on the boardwalk, which is sometimes eerily deserted but sometimes requires single-file trekking.—
Dewayne Bevil,
The Orlando Sentinel,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Gobert was chief among the beggars imploring his teammates for a shred of consistency on that end of the floor.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Antinous later shocked the other suitors by insulting and assaulting with a footstool an elderly beggar who had spoken to him in the palace hall.—
Gitanjali Roy,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
9 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Make Waves Let your cares float away with lazy beach days, shimmering pools, and the family-favorite Captiva Landing, which takes fun to new heights with five acres of activity.—
South Seas,
Miami Herald,
15 May 2026
-
The water park is open on weekends in May and features exciting water rides, a relaxing lazy river, and wave pool.—
Natassia Paloma,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
Adjective
-
Born on May 13, 1958, in California, Sheets appeared on 163 episodes of Storage Wars between 2010 and 2023, vying with other buyers of abandoned and unopened storage lockers being auctioned.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
22 Apr. 2026
-
The city has been overwhelmed in recent years by an influx of abandoned and stray dogs and puppies.—
Alyce McFadden,
San Francisco Chronicle,
13 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Derelict.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/derelict. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
