DERELICTION Synonyms: 108 Similar and Opposite Words

dereliction

noun

ˌder-ə-ˈlik-shən

Definition of dereliction

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

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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

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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 dereliction For public health advocates like Dumais, the move amounts to a complete dereliction of the EPA’s duty to the public. — Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 23 July 2026 The budget represents a double dereliction of duty by the state’s political leadership. — Dan Walters, Mercury News, 9 July 2026 Bramshill called Nieporte’s claims fabricated and said he isn’t owed any money, adding that his termination was due to dereliction of duty, according to the Journal. — Jason Ma, Fortune, 5 July 2026 Scott Quigley is another poster boy for MSP dereliction of duty. — Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 30 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for dereliction

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dereliction

Noun

Stewart gave the character so much humanity, life, and fear, the terror of a life wasted in pursuit of wealth to the abandonment of all else.

— Sean Woods, Rolling Stone, 30 Oct. 2026
If one relative always made Christmas dinner, this year’s gathering may shift to a potluck, a smaller meal or a new host, a change the Hospice Foundation of America describes as a form of compromise rather than abandonment.

— Ashley Lynch, Sacbee.com, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of abandonment

Noun

Many in Serbia believe that the concrete canopy crashed because of flawed renovation work caused by corruption and negligence that prevailed in major state infrastructure projects championed by Vucic's government.

— MARKO DROBNJAKOVIC, Arkansas Online, 2 Nov. 2026
The tragedy, caused by shoddy construction, triggered an outpouring of anger over corruption, the government’s lack of accountability and negligence.

— Tim Lister, CNN Money, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of negligence

Noun

All of those children were known to the Department of Children and Families and had referrals for abuse or neglect.

— Kaitlin McCallum, Hartford Courant, 2 Nov. 2026
The building already has materials, dimensions, defects, histories, neighbors, owners, previous uses, and established patterns of maintenance or neglect.

— Julian Rose, Artforum, 1 Nov. 2026

Definition of neglect

Noun

Automated systems could then use additional computing resources to discover weaknesses and test potential defenses.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 31 Oct. 2026
Intel plunged 30% Friday after issuing weaker guidance for the fourth quarter, citing weakness in the PC market and manufacturing bottlenecks.

— Lucy Bayly, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of weakness

Noun

Mobilization problems, desertion and a shrinking pool of eligible men leave exhausted soldiers serving longer and commanders struggling to rotate forces along the 775-mile front.

— Samya Kullab, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026
Mary Cormier and David Butts, of Scott, were arrested and charged with second-degree cruelty to juveniles, child desertion, and contributing to the delinquency of juveniles, the Scott Police Department said in a statement.

— KC Baker, PEOPLE, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of desertion

Noun

Detecting a fault before launch could prevent equipment damage, reduce operational interruptions, and help protect people and property on the ground.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 26 Oct. 2026
And though no fault of Chesney’s, UCLA is playing a soft schedule.

— Mirjam Swanson, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of fault

Noun

In the documentation, the company is candid about its failings.

— Frank Landymore, Futurism, 14 Oct. 2026
The Army report highlighted how the air traffic controller at Reagan National Airport could have prevented the crash, but also acknowledged the military’s own failings and other contributing factors.

— ABC News, ABC News, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of failing

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“Dereliction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dereliction. Accessed 4 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of dereliction

noun

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