Synonyms of dereliction

dereliction

noun

ˌder-ə-ˈlik-shən 

1

as in abandonment

the act of abandoning

the dereliction by the owners of a once flourishing orchard

Synonyms & Similar Words

• abandonment
• desertion
• forsaking
• defection
• dumping
• discard
• tergiversation
• jettisoning

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• reclamation
• retention
• retrieval
• repossession
• recoupment

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

• negligence
• neglectfulness
• neglect
• carelessness
• omission
• laxness
• heedlessness
• remissness
• recklessness
• slackness
• malfeasance
• irresponsibility
• foolhardiness
• mismanagement
• wildness
• malpractice
• incaution
• incautiousness
• misconduct
• inattention
• forgetfulness
• rashness
• mishandling
• inadvertence
• delinquency
• inattentiveness
• inadvertency
• misdirection
• irresponsibleness
• shortsightedness
• obliviousness
• unwariness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• care
• awareness
• caution
• attention
• carefulness
• alertness
• attentiveness
• responsibility
• cautiousness
• vigilance
• watchfulness
• circumspection
• observance
• heedfulness
• responsibleness

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

• negligence
• neglect
• failure
• oversight
• default
• delinquency
• nonfeasance
• misprision
• carelessness
• inadvertence
• laxity
• heedlessness
• inadvertency

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• discharge
• compliance
• fulfillment

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

• weakness
• sin
• fault
• failing
• shortcoming
• deficiency
• sinfulness
• vice
• foible
• demerit
• frailty
• feet of clay
• evil
• stain
• immorality
• imperfection
• corruption
• blot
• blemish
• flaw
• want
• minus
• depravity
• wickedness
• soft spot
• spot
• nit
• Achilles' heel

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• virtue
• merit
• excellence
• perfection
• integrity
• morality
• goodness
• righteousness
• rectitude
• probity

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of dereliction

The budget represents a double dereliction of duty by the state’s political leadership. — Dan Walters, Mercury News, 9 July 2026

Bramshill called Nieporte’s claims fabricated and said he isn’t owed any money, adding that his termination was due to dereliction of duty, according to the Journal. — Jason Ma, Fortune, 5 July 2026

Scott Quigley is another poster boy for MSP dereliction of duty. — Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 30 June 2026

This dereliction of duty from the current head of the office is costing the county tens of millions of dollars in lost interest. — Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 May 2026