delinquency

noun

di-ˈliŋ-kwən-sē How to pronounce delinquency (audio)
Definition of delinquencynext
1
as in negligence
the nonperformance of an assigned or expected action we received a notice in the mail informing us of our delinquency in paying our utility bill

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in lateness
the quality or state of being late delinquency of our mortgage payment meant that we would have to pay a surcharge

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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 delinquency Maintenance activity, vendor invoices, rent collections, delinquency and property-level financial reporting should all contribute to a clearer picture of performance. — David Crown, Forbes.com, 23 Sep. 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 But data show, in states where online gambling has been made legal, bankruptcies and credit card delinquencies go up 25%. — David Morgan, CBS News, 18 Sep. 2026 Officials with the Ponce City Market developer said their delinquency was a mix-up, and the nearly $200,000 balance has since been paid. — Shaddi Abusaid, AJC.com, 18 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for delinquency
Recent Examples of Synonyms for delinquency
  1. negligence
  2. lateness
  3. neglect
  4. tardiness
  5. default
  6. failure
  7. oversight
Noun
  • The suit alleges that Fox's actions rise to the level of corporate negligence under the Ukrainian civil code.
    — David Folkenflik, NPR, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Irene Perretta died in 2025 at 80 years old after being treated at the Bridgeport Hospital Milford Campus, according to a negligence lawsuit filed by her family.
    — Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of negligence
Noun
  • Cohen blames other departments’ delays in turning over data as part of the reason for its chronic lateness.
    — Dakota Smith, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Given our lateness, only a few things would be deemed worthy enough to delay getting to the census site.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of lateness
Noun
  • Each critic portrayed the historical monument as an object of reverence owing to age, with specific reference to the psycho-historical implications of restoration or, conversely, of neglect.
    — Jeffrey Weiss, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
  • The exemptions don’t just shield faith-healing parents from criminal prosecution for conduct that otherwise would be charged as neglect.
    — Audrey Dutton, ProPublica, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of neglect
Noun
  • Berkowitz also shared that Taylor’s greatest flaw was her notorious tardiness.
    — Rance Collins, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Sep. 2026
  • The star’s tardiness usually resulted from her elaborate glam process.
    — Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of tardiness
Noun
  • Additionally, a Financial Times report highlighted growing market concerns that corporations with weaker balance sheets could face immediate debt default pressures.
    — , CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Unlike call Scam Detection, message Scam Detection is turned on by default.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of default
Noun
  • Let Congress know how dire the situation is (or will be, if there’s a failure to act).
    — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 4 Oct. 2026
  • The stunning failure in Tennessee's execution chamber on Wednesday has left both sides of the death penalty debate demanding answers.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of failure
Noun
  • The merger means that the NCAA March Madness college basketball championship will be under a single company’s oversight for the first time in years.
    — Brian Steinberg, Variety, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Audit committee members naming AI governance a priority jumped to 35% in Deloitte and the Center for Audit Quality’s 2025 survey, up from 20% the year before, and the share of committees taking primary AI oversight rose from 14% to 20%.
    — Eshaan Jain, Forbes.com, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of oversight

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delinquency
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Cite this Entry

“Delinquency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/delinquency. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on delinquency

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about delinquency

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