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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dereliction
Lawmakers diagnosed that the principal government dereliction had been the failure to ensure that intelligence was shared across agencies.
—
Andrew C. McCarthy, National Review, 1 Mar. 2025
Watching a patient suffer feels like a dereliction of duty to many health care workers.
—Daniel T. Kim, The Conversation, 4 Feb. 2025
Okay, that seems like a dereliction of duty.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 28 Jan. 2025
The implication is that this dereliction explains why the institution is inert and unresponsive to the American people.
—Lorelei Kelly, The Conversation, 24 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dereliction
Andrew C. McCarthy, National Review, 1 Mar. 2025
Watching a patient suffer feels like a dereliction of duty to many health care workers.
—Daniel T. Kim, The Conversation, 4 Feb. 2025
Okay, that seems like a dereliction of duty.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 28 Jan. 2025
The implication is that this dereliction explains why the institution is inert and unresponsive to the American people.
—Lorelei Kelly, The Conversation, 24 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dereliction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dereliction
Noun
-
Global executives bemoan the negative impacts of poor customer onboarding and subsequent abandonment.—
Alfred Kahn,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2025
-
In recent years, challenges from Russian aggression to Chinese mercantilism to American abandonment have revealed just how unprepared a demilitarized Europe is to handle old-fashioned power politics.—
Gideon Rose,
Foreign Affairs,
23 June 2025
Noun
-
Boat operator negligence or DUI – The Coast Guard also states that negligent operation — including drinking, speeding, or unsafe boating — can lead to fines up to $5,000 and imprisonment.—
Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado,
Sacbee.com,
24 June 2025
-
In the early hours of June 14, 2017, residents of Grenfell Tower were caught off guard by a deadly fire that would turn the building into an international symbol of negligence and injustice.—
Time,
Time,
20 June 2025
Noun
-
London spoke about his case at a press conference earlier this month, where Barbara Fair, the executive director of Stop Solitary CT, referred to him as someone who had experienced medical neglect first-hand within the Department of Correction.—
Emilia Otte,
Hartford Courant,
20 June 2025
-
The Volusia Sheriff’s Office posted video of Scott Allen Gardner being apprehended on Thursday on charges of aggravated manslaughter of a child and child neglect causing great bodily harm.—
Brian Niemietz,
New York Daily News,
20 June 2025
Noun
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The pair argues that Europe risks falling behind not due to a lack of technical capability but because of structural market weaknesses.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
20 June 2025
-
Frank is committed to improving players’ strengths and weaknesses, and this is an area that could facilitate Tel’s development.—
Elias Burke,
New York Times,
20 June 2025
Noun
-
During the Civil War, firing squads were common for executing soldiers for desertion; in some cases, they would be blindfolded and tied to stakes before being shot.—
Erik Ortiz,
NBC News,
2 Mar. 2025
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The arrests come amid growing public pressure for action against commanders seen as incompetent or careless as desertions rise in the Ukrainian Army.—
Maria Varenikova,
New York Times,
21 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
The fact is, Sinners is not about sin in the religious sense but more about America’s most significant secular violation: its refusal to face itself.—
Sughnen Yongo,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2025
-
Yet no former secretary of state has been more vehemently criticized, most notably for sins of omission and commission in countries such as Bangladesh, Cambodia, Chile and East Timor.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 June 2025
Noun
-
Harper isn’t devoid of faults, with the two main ones being his defensive focus and inconsistent jump-shooting.—
Kambui Bomani,
Forbes.com,
24 June 2025
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The driver of the vehicle was not found at fault, and no citations were issued, according to the release.—
Tracy Neal,
Arkansas Online,
24 June 2025
Noun
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But beneath that was a second failing: the Bears ranked 25th in PFF run-blocking grade from 11 personnel.—
Phil Rogers,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2025
-
Peter Johnston, the BBC’s director of editorial complaints and reviews, is examining the failings that led to the film being broadcast.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
20 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dereliction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dereliction. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.
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