1
as in abandonment
the act of abandoning
the dereliction by the owners of a once flourishing orchard
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in negligence
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 & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in neglect
the nonperformance of an assigned or expected action
both sentries were to be court-martialed for dereliction of duty
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in weakness
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 & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dereliction
One verdict is already declared in the Karen Read murder case: The Massachusetts State Police are guilty in the first degree of dereliction of duty.
—
Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 17 June 2025
What with weakened teams and consistently pathetic performances, their league form on both their parts has been pathetic enough to be termed a dereliction of duty.
—Tim Spiers, New York Times, 22 May 2025
Already insurance carriers are cancelling homeowner policies and doubling or more the premiums on many others as one consequence of our city government’s dereliction.
—U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 May 2025
Ernst charged public employees with widespread absenteeism and dereliction of duty.
—Charlie Tyson, The New Yorker, 15 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dereliction
Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 17 June 2025
What with weakened teams and consistently pathetic performances, their league form on both their parts has been pathetic enough to be termed a dereliction of duty.
—Tim Spiers, New York Times, 22 May 2025
Already insurance carriers are cancelling homeowner policies and doubling or more the premiums on many others as one consequence of our city government’s dereliction.
—U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 May 2025
Ernst charged public employees with widespread absenteeism and dereliction of duty.
—Charlie Tyson, The New Yorker, 15 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dereliction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dereliction
Noun
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The author means this in the larger sense of abandonment—of a parent, of a friend, or even of a boss.—
Kyle Chayka,
New Yorker,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Public shelters and private rescues across Southern California are seeing an increase in large dog abandonment and owner requests for assistance.—
Erika I. Ritchie,
Oc Register,
30 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
After an hour of jury deliberation, Cardi was cleared on allegations of assault, battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress, as well as negligence and false imprisonment.—
Jessica Bennett,
VIBE.com,
3 Sep. 2025
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Overall, prosecutors identified the brands’ negligence in properly auditing their supply chain partners.—
Martino Carrera,
Footwear News,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Like most extended car warranty providers, CarShield excludes pre-existing conditions that existed before your warranty took effect, as well as damage resulting from poor maintenance, neglect or intentional abuse.—
Brian Sloan,
CNBC,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Cash remains hopeful that the provision will be implemented later because cameras could both exonerate teachers who have been falsely accused of neglect and provide evidence against those teachers who do not follow state protocols.—
IndyStar,
IndyStar,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
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It could be argued that this trio of managers followed each other at United because their strengths answered the previous manager’s weaknesses.—
Carl Anka,
New York Times,
5 Sep. 2025
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The weakness was most pronounced on the goods-producing side of the economy.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Mobilization has stalled, with brigades undermanned, and desertion in the ranks is a mounting problem.—
Joshua Yaffa,
New Yorker,
22 Aug. 2025
-
Both offenses carry severe penalties under Russian law—desertion is punishable by up to 10 years in prison, while voluntary surrender can result in a sentence of 10 to 15 years.—
Josh Hammer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Apr. 2025
Noun
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But when Wonderboy has a life-altering encounter that exposes the cracks in their righteous facade, the women who love them reveal a deeper truth about the grip of patriarchy, silence, and generational sin.—
Kait Hanson,
Southern Living,
30 Aug. 2025
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Or will their collective sins destroy #Momtok for good?—
Peter White,
Deadline,
28 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
While Netanyahu is ageing, his memory is not at fault here.—
MSNBC Newsweek,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Sep. 2025
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So The Paper treats journalism as aspirational — Ned describes over-romanticizing as one of his main faults.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
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If the continuity, cohesion and familiarity offered by those who stayed does not prove enough to keep Leeds in the league, the inability to sell efficiently in the summer window will be seen as one of the failings.—
Beren Cross,
New York Times,
5 Sep. 2025
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Thailand under Anutin will try to depart from Pheu Thai’s failings as much as possible, says Cogan.—
Chad de Guzman,
Time,
5 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dereliction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dereliction. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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