Synonyms of dereliction

dereliction

noun

ˌder-ə-ˈlik-shən 

1

as in abandonment

the act of abandoning

the dereliction by the owners of a once flourishing orchard

Synonyms & Similar Words

• abandonment
• desertion
• forsaking
• defection
• dumping
• discard
• tergiversation
• jettisoning

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• reclamation
• retention
• retrieval
• repossession
• recoupment

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

• negligence
• neglectfulness
• neglect
• carelessness
• omission
• laxness
• heedlessness
• remissness
• recklessness
• slackness
• malfeasance
• irresponsibility
• foolhardiness
• mismanagement
• wildness
• malpractice
• incaution
• incautiousness
• misconduct
• inattention
• forgetfulness
• rashness
• mishandling
• inadvertence
• delinquency
• inattentiveness
• inadvertency
• misdirection
• irresponsibleness
• shortsightedness
• obliviousness
• unwariness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• care
• awareness
• caution
• attention
• carefulness
• alertness
• attentiveness
• responsibility
• cautiousness
• vigilance
• watchfulness
• circumspection
• observance
• heedfulness
• responsibleness

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

• negligence
• neglect
• failure
• oversight
• default
• delinquency
• nonfeasance
• misprision
• carelessness
• inadvertence
• laxity
• heedlessness
• inadvertency

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• discharge
• compliance
• fulfillment

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

• weakness
• sin
• fault
• failing
• shortcoming
• deficiency
• sinfulness
• vice
• foible
• demerit
• frailty
• feet of clay
• evil
• stain
• immorality
• imperfection
• corruption
• blot
• blemish
• flaw
• want
• minus
• depravity
• wickedness
• soft spot
• spot
• nit
• Achilles' heel

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• virtue
• merit
• excellence
• perfection
• integrity
• morality
• goodness
• righteousness
• rectitude
• probity

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of dereliction

This dereliction of duty from the current head of the office is costing the county tens of millions of dollars in lost interest. — Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 May 2026

From an ideological standpoint, the new flag was introduced at the exact time the citizens of this state were just getting a grip on the outrageously incompetent management of the state’s money, dereliction that allowed billions of their tax dollars to be lost to fraud. — Joe Soucheray, Twin Cities, 2 May 2026

The firing of the deputy mayor signals to us a dereliction of duty. — Michael Pfleger, Chicago Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026

In the decades that followed, the structure fell into dereliction and faced demolition before ultimately being restored. — Paul Caputo, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2026