delinquency

noun

de·​lin·​quen·​cy di-ˈliŋ-kwən-sē How to pronounce delinquency (audio)
-ˈlin-
plural delinquencies
Synonyms of delinquencynext
1
a
: a delinquent act
b
: conduct that is out of accord with accepted behavior or the law
especially : juvenile delinquency
2
: a debt on which payment is overdue

Synonyms of delinquency

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Examples of delinquency in a Sentence

They tried to steer him away from delinquency by giving him a job in their store. She's been charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor. a series of minor delinquencies a high rate of delinquency
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Documents obtained by the Observer in a public records request indicate that all but one of the citations issued included a charge of contributing to the delinquency of a minor — a Level 1 misdemeanor with a maximum penalty of 120 days in jail. — Diamy Wang august 7, Charlotte Observer, 7 Aug. 2026 This glitch marks the latest in a series of administrative failures, following false delinquency notices and incorrect repayment calculations, as major federal student loan reforms are implemented. — Adam S. Minsky, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026 Negative information tied to that delinquency date must fall off your credit report after seven years, no matter how many times the debt is sold or reassigned to a new debt collector. — Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026 On Wednesday, Azucena Gonzalez, while still locked up at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, was additionally charged with child abuse with no great bodily harm and contributing to the delinquency of a child. — Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 6 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for delinquency

Word History

Etymology

delinqu(ent) entry 2 + -ency

First Known Use

1625, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of delinquency was in 1625

Phrases Containing delinquency

Browse Nearby Words

delinquence
delinquency
delinquent
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Delinquency.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/delinquency. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.

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Medical Definition

delinquency

noun
de·​lin·​quen·​cy di-ˈliŋ-kwən-sē, -ˈlin- How to pronounce delinquency (audio)
plural delinquencies
: conduct that is out of accord with accepted behavior or the law
especially : juvenile delinquency

Legal Definition

delinquency

noun
de·​lin·​quen·​cy di-ˈliŋ-kwən-sē How to pronounce delinquency (audio)
plural delinquencies
1
a
: the quality or state of being delinquent
b
: juvenile delinquency
contributing to the delinquency of a minor
2
: a debt on which payment is overdue
consumer loan delinquencies

More from Merriam-Webster on delinquency

Nglish: Translation of delinquency for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about delinquency

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