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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of derelict
Molly Osberg, Curbed, 10 July 2024
Abbott has accused President Joe Biden and his administration of being derelict in securing the border.
—Marley Malenfant, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Mar. 2024
Jennifer Hattam, TIME, 25 July 2024
The country’s derelict regime couldn’t last forever, U.S. leaders reasoned.
—Doug Bandow, Foreign Affairs, 1 Nov. 2016
See all Example Sentences for derelict 
Adjective
The problem is especially visible in low-income neighborhoods and the outer-boroughs, where there are more derelict spaces for the animals to roam.
—Molly Osberg, Curbed, 10 July 2024
Abbott has accused President Joe Biden and his administration of being derelict in securing the border.
—Marley Malenfant, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Mar. 2024
Noun
This grand Turkish bath (hamam) reopened in May 2024 after laying derelict for decades.
—Jennifer Hattam, TIME, 25 July 2024
The country’s derelict regime couldn’t last forever, U.S. leaders reasoned.
—Doug Bandow, Foreign Affairs, 1 Nov. 2016
See all Example Sentences for derelict
Recent Examples of Synonyms for derelict
Adjective
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Buy Now 12 of 15 'Matilda' by Roald Dahl Precocious bookworms everywhere found a kindred spirit in Matilda, a little girl with neglectful parents and a loving teacher who takes on a terrorizing headmistress with her special powers.—
Lizz Schumer,
People.com,
27 Dec. 2024
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Keepers of the Wild, Valentine This wildlife refuge along Historic Route 66 northeast of Kingman is home to hundreds of animals rescued from neglectful and abusive situations.—
Roger Naylor,
The Arizona Republic,
1 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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McQueen spends half an hour dispassionately showing us the grimness of HMP Maze, a Troubles-era warehouse for enemies of the British state on a disused airfield.—
IndieWire Staff,
IndieWire,
12 Aug. 2024
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In his first five night-shift stints as watchman at a disused ’80s amusement park/arcade mall — Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza Place — Mike stares glaze-eyed at security monitors, then drifts into violent 3-D incidents, His circumstance incarnates the hell that Morrissey sings about.—
Armond White,
National Review,
1 Nov. 2023
Noun
-
This was all done with a bum wrist, which posed as an inconvenience to him at times.—
Hannah Kirby,
Journal Sentinel,
4 Aug. 2024
-
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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Brandon Howey was found guilty of four counts of careless driving resulting in death and four counts of careless driving resulting in injury, all traffic offenses, by an Adams County jury in November.—
Katie Langford,
The Denver Post,
25 Jan. 2025
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Of those fires, careless cooking was the most common factor.—
Eleanor Nash,
Kansas City Star,
23 Jan. 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
-
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
-
Harrah's Resort Southern California boasts an impressive lazy river — and an active role in San Diego's Pride celebrations.—
Jared Ranahan,
Travel + Leisure,
22 Jan. 2025
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Boardwalks lead past breezy picnic pavilions and rows of lazy loungers and Bahamian blue and yellow-colored umbrellas to the pink sands of Eleuthera.—
Mark Gauert,
Sun Sentinel,
20 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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A day later his car was found abandoned but undamaged in a parking lot near Congaree National Park about 20 miles southeast of Columbia.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
3 Jan. 2025
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According to the nonprofit, Kristin Davis found the abandoned and weak elephant calf while on a trip near Kenya's Chyulu Hills.—
Kelli Bender,
People.com,
15 Oct. 2024
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
Thesaurus Entries Near derelict
Cite this Entry
“Derelict.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/derelict. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.
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