Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
×

Thesaurus

dereliction

noun

Synonyms and Antonyms of dereliction

1 the act of abandoning
  • the dereliction of the cause by its leader
Synonyms of dereliction

abandonment, desertion, forsaking
Words Related to dereliction

defection

discard, dumping, jettisoning
Near Antonyms of dereliction

retention

recoupment, repossession, retrieval
Antonyms of dereliction

reclamation
2 failure to take the care that a cautious person usually takes
  • The ski area was not held responsible for the injury on account of the skier's own manifest dereliction.
Synonyms of dereliction

carelessness, heedlessness, incaution, incautiousness, laxness, neglectfulness, negligence, slackness
Words Related to dereliction

foolhardiness, rashness, recklessness, wildness

neglect, omission

delinquency, irresponsibility, irresponsibleness, malfeasance, malpractice, misconduct

misdirection, mishandling, mismanagement

forgetfulness, inadvertence, inattention, inattentiveness, obliviousness, shortsightedness, unwariness
Near Antonyms of dereliction

alertness, attention, attentiveness, awareness

circumspection, observance, vigilance, watchfulness

responsibility, responsibleness
Antonyms of dereliction

care, carefulness, caution, cautiousness, heedfulness
3 the nonperformance of an assigned or expected action
  • Both sentries were to be court-martialed for dereliction of duty.
Synonyms of dereliction

default, delinquency, failure, neglect, negligence, nonfeasance, oversight
Words Related to dereliction

carelessness, heedlessness, inadvertence, inadvertency, laxity
Near Antonyms of dereliction

compliance, discharge, fulfillment (or fulfilment)
4 a defect in character
  • believes that society is guilty of a moral dereliction if it does not care for those unable to care for themselves
Synonyms of dereliction

demerit, failing, fault, foible, frailty, shortcoming, sin, vice, want, weakness
Words Related to dereliction

blot, spot, stain

blemish, deficiency, flaw, imperfection, minus, nit

Achilles' heel, soft spot

corruption, depravity, evil, immorality, sinfulness, wickedness
Phrases Synonymous with dereliction

feet of clay
Near Antonyms of dereliction

excellence, perfection

goodness, integrity, morality, probity, rectitude, righteousness
Antonyms of dereliction

merit, virtue

Learn More about dereliction

  1. See words that rhyme with dereliction Dictionary: Definition of dereliction

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up dereliction? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games