Dereliction — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ˌder-ə-ˈlik-shən/ der·e·lic·tion

Meaning & Definition of Dereliction

Dereliction (noun)

  1. an intentional abandonment
  2. the state of being abandoned
  3. a recession of water leaving permanently dry land

Dereliction (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. the act of abandoning

    "the dereliction by the owners of a once flourishing orchard"

    similar: abandonment, desertion, forsaking
    related: defection, tergiversation, discard, dumping, jettisoning
    opposite: reclamation
    near: retention, recoupment, repossession, retrieval

  2. 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"

    similar: carelessness, heedlessness, incaution, incautiousness, laxness, neglectfulness, negligence, remissness, slackness
    related: foolhardiness, rashness, recklessness, wildness, neglect, omission, delinquency, irresponsibility, irresponsibleness, malfeasance, malpractice, misconduct, misdirection, mishandling, mismanagement, forgetfulness, inadvertence, inadvertency, inattention, inattentiveness, obliviousness, shortsightedness, unwariness
    opposite: care, carefulness, caution, cautiousness, heedfulness
    near: alertness, attention, attentiveness, awareness, circumspection, observance, vigilance, watchfulness, responsibility, responsibleness

  3. the nonperformance of an assigned or expected action

    "both sentries were to be court-martialed for dereliction of duty"

    similar: default, delinquency, failure, misprision, neglect, negligence, nonfeasance, oversight
    related: carelessness, heedlessness, inadvertence, inadvertency, laxity
    near: compliance, discharge, fulfillment

  4. 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"

    similar: demerit, failing, fault, foible, frailty, shortcoming, sin, vice, want, weakness, feet of clay
    related: blot, spot, stain, blemish, deficiency, flaw, imperfection, minus, nit, Achilles' heel, soft spot, corruption, depravity, evil, immorality, sinfulness, wickedness
    opposite: merit, virtue
    near: excellence, perfection, goodness, integrity, morality, probity, rectitude, righteousness

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Dereliction

The most common words with a similar meaning to Dereliction:

abandonment, desertion, forsaking, carelessness, heedlessness, incaution, incautiousness, laxness, neglectfulness, negligence, remissness, slackness, default, delinquency, failure, misprision, neglect, nonfeasance, oversight, demerit, failing, fault, foible, frailty, shortcoming, sin, vice, want, weakness, feet of clay

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Dereliction

Words with the opposite meaning of Dereliction:

reclamation, care, carefulness, caution, cautiousness, heedfulness, merit, virtue

Related Words for Dereliction

defection, tergiversation, discard, dumping, jettisoning, foolhardiness, rashness, recklessness, wildness, omission, irresponsibility, irresponsibleness, malfeasance, malpractice, misconduct, misdirection, mishandling, mismanagement, forgetfulness, inadvertence, inadvertency, inattention, inattentiveness, obliviousness, shortsightedness, unwariness, laxity, blot, spot, stain

Near Antonyms of Dereliction

retention, recoupment, repossession, retrieval, alertness, attention, attentiveness, awareness, circumspection, observance, vigilance, watchfulness, responsibility, responsibleness, compliance, discharge, fulfillment, excellence, perfection, goodness, integrity, morality, probity, rectitude, righteousness

Origin & Etymology of Dereliction

First known use: 1597

Frequently Asked Questions about Dereliction

What does "Dereliction" mean?

"Dereliction" means an intentional abandonment. As a noun, it is defined as: an intentional abandonment. It has 4 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Dereliction"?

Other words for "Dereliction" include abandonment, desertion, forsaking, carelessness, heedlessness, incaution, incautiousness and laxness. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Dereliction" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Dereliction"?

There are 74 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Dereliction". Common alternatives include abandonment, desertion, forsaking, carelessness, heedlessness, incaution, incautiousness, laxness, neglectfulness and negligence.

What is the opposite of "Dereliction"?

Antonyms of "Dereliction" include reclamation, care, carefulness, caution, cautiousness, heedfulness, merit and virtue. Near antonyms include retention, recoupment, repossession and retrieval.

How do you use "Dereliction" in a sentence?

Examples of "Dereliction" in a sentence: "the dereliction by the owners of a once flourishing orchard"; "the ski area was not held responsible for the injury on account of the skier's own manifest dereliction"; "both sentries were to be court-martialed for dereliction of duty".

Is "Dereliction" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Dereliction" is a noun.

How do you pronounce "Dereliction"?

"Dereliction" is pronounced /ˌder-ə-ˈlik-shən/ and divided into syllables as der·e·lic·tion.

What is the origin of the word "Dereliction"?

First known use: 1597.