Dereliction: meaning, definitions and examples

Typically used in legal or formal settings to describe the failure to fulfill one's duties or responsibilities.

• The officer was charged with dereliction of duty.
• The company's dereliction in reporting the incident led to severe penalties.

Commonly used in everyday language to describe the lack of proper care or attention to someone or something.

• She was accused of child neglect.
• The garden fell into neglect over the years.

Used when referring to the act of leaving or giving up something or someone permanently.

• His abandonment of the project surprised everyone.
• The dog showed signs of abandonment.

Often used in legal contexts to describe a failure to take proper care in doing something, which results in damage or harm.

• The doctor was sued for medical negligence.
• Her negligence led to the accident.

Dereliction is used to describe something abandoned or in a state of severe disrepair, particularly buildings or properties. It often implies a sense of neglect and abandonment.

• The old factory was in a state of dereliction for years before it was finally demolished.
• They explored the dereliction of the ghost town, feeling a sense of eerie nostalgia.

Neglect means failing to care for something properly. It can refer to places, objects, or people and usually carries negative implications.

• The garden was overrun with weeds due to years of neglect.
• Child neglect is a serious issue that needs to be addressed by social services.
• The old bookshelves were covered in dust from years of neglect.

Disuse refers to the state of not being used anymore. It is neutral and implies that something was once used but no longer serves its original purpose.

• The old railway station has fallen into disuse since the new transport hub opened.
• His gym membership fell into disuse after he found a new hobby.

Decay refers to the gradual process of decomposition or deterioration over time in various contexts, from physical objects to morals and values. It often has a negative connotation.

• The smell of decay filled the abandoned house.
• The ancient ruins showed signs of significant decay after centuries of exposure to the elements.
• Moral decay in the society has been a topic of concern.