delinquent 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of delinquentnext
as in delayed
not arriving, occurring, or settled at the due, usual, or proper time the bank was annoyed because our check was delinquent

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

delinquent

2 of 2

noun

as in derelict

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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 delinquent
Adjective
The delinquent loan matured in February 2025, county real estate files show. — George Avalos, Mercury News, 20 Aug. 2026 New Federal Reserve Bank of New York research determined there was a 10% increase in delinquent payment rates of bettors. — Brianne Doura-Schawohl, Baltimore Sun, 19 Aug. 2026
Noun
Which Texas cities rank among the most debt delinquent? — Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 6 Apr. 2026 The Dakota County Attorney’s Office argued the teen should be adjudicated delinquent, while the teen’s attorney argued that the case be continued without adjudication, which the judge agreed to. — Mara H. Gottfried, Twin Cities, 17 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for delinquent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for delinquent
  1. delayed
  2. bankrupt
  3. tardy
  4. reprobate
  5. late
  6. belated
  7. overdue
  8. behind
Adjective
  • After Tuesday’s practice, Purdy detailed how a delayed throw to Luke Farrell got intercepted by linebacker Del-Shawn Phillips off near the goal line.
    — Cam Inman, Mercury News, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The Real Problem Is The Ripple A delayed flight is easy to detect.
    — Ishraq Khan, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of delayed
Noun
  • The expectation is set early in the series, when an alderman who tries to swindle George bankrupts himself in the process, then kills himself in shame.
    — Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 24 June 2025
  • If this continues, the country will become de facto bankrupt.
    — Newsweek, Newsweek, 6 Mar. 2025
Definition of bankrupt
Adjective
  • Pulitzer-Prize finalist Daniel Mason molds his new novel around Miles Krzelewski, married to a Stanford academic superstar, twelve years tardy on his dissertation.
    — Hamilton Cain, Time, 7 July 2026
  • Machado, who was shifted over and essentially playing in the shortstop position, fielded the ball and diverted his route to go put a tag on Hoerner before making a tardy throw to first base.
    — Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 June 2026
Definition of tardy
Noun
  • Unlike Vegas with its cast of reprobates and wackos, this joint is classy and clean and just a wee bit indulgent.
    — David Weiss, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
  • They’re typically retired, sitting on pensions and 401(k)s, and may be naive to the techniques favored by con artists and reprobates who run riot on the internet.
    — Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 9 Sep. 2025
Definition of reprobate
Adjective
  • Many questions are set to be answered on Tuesday, and The Athletic will bring you all the latest through our dedicated live coverage.
    — Leon Imber, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
  • At this late juncture in the season, the instability of the Akira One’s revolving-door crew is taking its toll.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of late
Adjective
  • With the belated realization that the Chinese had indeed overtaken them in the burgeoning electric-vehicle business, the world’s other car-makers descended into doom and gloom.
    — Jamie Kitman, Air Mail, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Councilman Izzy Patoka alluded to the financial hole that the county dug for itself by its belated adoption of development impact fees and excise taxes in 2019.
    — David Plymyer, Baltimore Sun, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of belated
Adjective
  • These belated acts of institutional integration are part of a necessary and long overdue revision of West German art history’s mechanisms of exclusion.
    — Elisa R. Linn, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2026
  • The good news is that by the end of the month, your personal life (or family dynamics) will shift in a way that could feel long-overdue.
    — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of overdue
Adjective
  • The chefs are running super-behind, so service is slow.
    — Jen Chaney, Vulture, 26 June 2026
  • Like the scrappy bird in their nickname, the tenacious Toronto Blue Jays have clawed their way to 45 come-from-behind victories – most in the major leagues – and 87 overall, tops in the American League with under two weeks left in the 2025 campaign.
    — Dan Schlossberg, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Definition of behind

Phrases Containing delinquent

Browse Nearby Words

delinquency
delinquent
delinquently
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Cite this Entry

“Delinquent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/delinquent. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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