1
as in neglectful
failing to give proper care and attention
the guards were judged derelict in their duty
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of derelict
Tom Fox, New York Daily News, 22 Apr. 2025
This particular object, a derelict upper stage from a Japanese H-IIA rocket, has been in orbit since 2009.
—Stephen Clark, Ars Technica, 28 Feb. 2025
In the film, upon discovering millions in cash in a derelict stash house, trust among a team of Miami cops begins to fray.
—Denise Petski, Deadline, 17 Mar. 2025
Cut to the two men brawling in the bowels of a derelict ship in the Miami port, where Spencer has imprisoned and ultimately attempts to drown his son to evade capture.
—Hunter Ingram, Variety, 14 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for derelict
Adjective
Pier 92 remains derelict, and Pier 94 is being converted into movie studios (not maritime).
—Tom Fox, New York Daily News, 22 Apr. 2025
This particular object, a derelict upper stage from a Japanese H-IIA rocket, has been in orbit since 2009.
—Stephen Clark, Ars Technica, 28 Feb. 2025
In the film, upon discovering millions in cash in a derelict stash house, trust among a team of Miami cops begins to fray.
—Denise Petski, Deadline, 17 Mar. 2025
Cut to the two men brawling in the bowels of a derelict ship in the Miami port, where Spencer has imprisoned and ultimately attempts to drown his son to evade capture.
—Hunter Ingram, Variety, 14 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for derelict
Recent Examples of Synonyms for derelict
Adjective
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Below, a few of my favorite books about bad mothering, from the benignly neglectful to the downright evil.—
Sarah Harman,
People.com,
11 May 2025
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Speaking of the Senate: That chamber on Monday fully passed Senate Bill 20, which seeks to crack down on chronically neglectful landlords by allowing government authorities to temporarily take control of run-down apartment buildings.—
Nick Coltrain,
Denver Post,
1 May 2025
Adjective
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On his release, Stern went on to spend the 1950s ping-ponging between New York and California, for a time living on a disused laundry barge in Sausalito.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
3 Mar. 2025
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One of the most powerful scenes in Sugarcane takes place in a disused barn where, over a period of decades, Indigenous children worked under the lash.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
8 Feb. 2025
Noun
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This was all done with a bum wrist, which posed as an inconvenience to him at times.—
Hannah Kirby,
Journal Sentinel,
4 Aug. 2024
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Tommy, left to prosecute the case against Rusty, has inherited a bum gig.—
Vinson Cunningham,
The New Yorker,
26 July 2024
Adjective
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Although Hill initially received two tickets for careless driving and not wearing a seat belt, they were dismissed after the officer who cited him didn’t show up to the Miami-Dade traffic hearing.—
C. Isaiah Smalls II,
Miami Herald,
15 May 2025
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Of those fires, 90% were caused by careless human activity, the agency said.—
Caitlin Danaher,
CNN Money,
14 May 2025
Noun
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The beggars, widows, and families with sick relatives who once made a pilgrimage to the gates of the parliament building in the Green Zone to beg lawmakers for help are now barred from entry.—
Ned Parker,
Foreign Affairs,
12 Feb. 2012
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All the beggars at the intersection of Lee Road and the off-ramp of I-4 are completely out of hand.—
Ticked Off,
Orlando Sentinel,
18 July 2024
Adjective
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About The Free Admission Offer The two water parks, Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park and Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park are filled with rides, a lazy river, a wave pool, multiple dining options, and more.—
Megan duBois,
Southern Living,
12 May 2025
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According to plans that seem about as fluid as a lazy river, this is the last year of the race at Pimlico, as it is currently constructed … or deconstructed.—
John Cherwa,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2025
Adjective
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The 33 towns being considered for this project, which are expected to meet final approval in the coming weeks, are all on the brink of extinction with the number of empty and abandoned houses outnumbering those that are inhabited.—
Barbie Latza Nadeau,
CNN,
21 Mar. 2025
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The team had a group task to accomplish, yes, but at every checkpoint, people had to make the decision to be selfish or selfless, and the selfish ones got rewarded while the selfless were left abandoned and miserable on the loch.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
7 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Extra hooks allow the bag to transform into a trapezoidal hobo shape.—
Joelle Diderich,
WWD,
19 Sep. 2024
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There’s a lot to love about Coach’s viral shoulder bag: the modern hobo style, the soft leather, the distinct shape.—
Lindy Segal,
Glamour,
13 Sep. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Derelict.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/derelict. Accessed 24 May. 2025.
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