1
as in abandonment
the act of abandoning
the dereliction by the owners of a once flourishing orchard
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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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dereliction
The rumour is that Conan Doyle based the character of Moriarty on George Boole, Professor of Maths at University College Cork from 1849 until 1864 (disappointingly his former home on Grenville Place is in a state of dereliction).
—
Mike O'Sullivan, Forbes, 7 Dec. 2024
Two very different nonprofits established to take advantage of that dereliction still thrive a half-century later: the Dia Art Foundation and Creative Time.
—The Editors, Curbed, 2 Dec. 2024
In May, days before the second anniversary of the massacre, the victims' families filed a lawsuit against the DPS and 92 troopers who responded to the mass shooting, calling the response a dereliction of duty for not employing proper active shooter response training techniques.
—Hogan Gore, Austin American-Statesman, 15 July 2024
In August 2023, DeSantis issued an executive order for her removal, accusing her of negligence and dereliction of duty.
—Orlando Sentinel Staff, Orlando Sentinel, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for dereliction 
Mike O'Sullivan, Forbes, 7 Dec. 2024
Two very different nonprofits established to take advantage of that dereliction still thrive a half-century later: the Dia Art Foundation and Creative Time.
—The Editors, Curbed, 2 Dec. 2024
In May, days before the second anniversary of the massacre, the victims' families filed a lawsuit against the DPS and 92 troopers who responded to the mass shooting, calling the response a dereliction of duty for not employing proper active shooter response training techniques.
—Hogan Gore, Austin American-Statesman, 15 July 2024
In August 2023, DeSantis issued an executive order for her removal, accusing her of negligence and dereliction of duty.
—Orlando Sentinel Staff, Orlando Sentinel, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for dereliction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dereliction
Noun
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Japan's unstated fears of U.S. abandonment What neither Ishiba nor other Japanese officials will discuss publicly is their concern that the U.S. might move away from its commitment to the U.S.-Japan alliance.—
Anthony Kuhn,
NPR,
7 Feb. 2025
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The consequences of this kind of abandonment, Whetstone said, can be severe.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
31 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The abandonment charge was eventually downgraded to negligence, and the drug charge was dropped.—
Federico Fahsbender,
Rolling Stone,
11 Feb. 2025
-
But somehow my stupidity and negligence caused the fire.—
Nick Ferraro,
Twin Cities,
7 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Kelly Rita Perrigo was arrested this week in connection with a complaint made in September by the child's mother A nurse practitioner in Florida is accused of child neglect after allegedly starving a child who needs 24/7 medical care.—
Samira Asma-Sadeque,
People.com,
7 Feb. 2025
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The report found one instance in which DCF found that allegations of physical and emotional neglect against an ABA employee were substantiated.—
Ginny Monk,
Hartford Courant,
5 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Sales in international markets rose 0.1%, saddled by weakness in Britain.—
Savyata Mishra,
USA TODAY,
11 Feb. 2025
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But Butler’s debut signified the Warriors’ most hopeful moment in months, an introduction of a superstar who seems to blend well into their system, helps solve their biggest weaknesses and accentuates Curry, who has been dying for a co-star for a few seasons.—
Anthony Slater,
The Athletic,
9 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The action hinges largely on disappointments, betrayals, desertions that already happened, an offscreen past often referred to but never shown.—
Matt Brennan,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Dec. 2024
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The State Bureau of Investigation opened a criminal case in December regarding the management of the brigade, which has experienced high levels of desertion and issues related to staffing and management.—
Marc Santora,
New York Times,
6 Jan. 2025
Noun
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If those are the heights, imagine the depths of condemnation such a player faces if for the sin of failing to measure up.—
Phil Thompson,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Feb. 2025
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Emilia Pérez’s sins of misrepresentation were legion.—
Nate Jones,
Vulture,
7 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Is the man responsible for his actions, or is his brain at fault?—
Joshua Rothman,
The New Yorker,
10 Feb. 2025
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The process isn't for natural disasters such as hurricanes, but for when there is someone at fault.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
10 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Recognizing the Fed’s failings in the 1970s, Congress amended the Federal Reserve Act in 1977 to include additional reforms, such as requiring the Fed chair to report to Congress twice a year to testify on the central bank’s activity.—
Elisabeth Buchwald,
CNN,
30 Jan. 2025
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Shows that not all football teams need to be Champions League contenders and not all fans need to be moaning about the failings of their club.—
Richard Sutcliffe,
The Athletic,
22 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near dereliction
Cite this Entry
“Dereliction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dereliction. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.
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