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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While Beijing hasn’t gone as far as Moscow, its quiet abandonment of the denuclearization goal marks a subtle yet consequential shift – one that could open the door to closer China-North Korea ties, or even bolster momentum for trilateral cooperation with Russia, Zhao said.—
Nectar Gan,
CNN Money,
10 Sep. 2025
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People can handle uncertainty, but not abandonment.—
Daisy Auger-Domínguez,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The suit, filed in Marion Superior Court, accuses Meta of negligence and breach of contract.—
Emma Bussey,
FOXNews.com,
8 Sep. 2025
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Due to the pending lawsuit filed by Santa Fe Irrigation (SFID) against the city over its negligence in the dam’s upkeep, Raise Lake Hodges has also been unable to get any information from SFID or from the city.—
Karen Billing,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Common causes include legacy storage, a lack of metadata and cost‑driven neglect.—
Daniel Fallmann,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
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Now, as a photojournalist working with the Kansas City Defender and as the creator of the upcoming podcast Fountain City Files, Harrison focuses on stories involving missing Black women, systemic failures in law enforcement and community neglect.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
10 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
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Mobilization has stalled, with brigades undermanned, and desertion in the ranks is a mounting problem.—
Joshua Yaffa,
New Yorker,
22 Aug. 2025
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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 after Davina publicly accuses Julia mid-labor of seducing Lord Lovat, the group of women suddenly turn on Julia, yelling at her to repent her sins and repeatedly questioning her about the paternity of her child.—
Max Gao,
HollywoodReporter,
5 Sep. 2025
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The film’s chief sin is its effortful posture of compassion for the plight of these boys, and those like them in the real world.—
Richard Lawson,
IndieWire,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Thug’s preexisting relationship with Big Bank also makes the conversation feel very intimate, though sometimes to a fault.—
Alphonse Pierre,
Pitchfork,
11 Sep. 2025
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Would the Clippers be at fault if a sponsor decides to pay a player, but there isn’t sufficient evidence the team directed that payment?—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
10 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 12 Sep. 2025.
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