delinquency
noun
de·lin·quen·cy
di-ˈliŋ-kwən-sē 
-ˈlin-
plural delinquencies
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
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
The earlier Silent and Greatest generations had even lower delinquency rates.
—
Don Lee, Los Angeles Times, 24 May 2024
And low- and middle-income Americans are struggling with record credit card debt and historically high delinquencies, Zandi and Daco say.
—Paul Davidson, USA TODAY, 20 May 2024
Much of Gen Z is already struggling economically, carrying more debt than millennials did at the same age and having higher delinquency rates, factors that make an early retirement even harder to attain.
—Byalicia Adamczyk, Fortune, 16 May 2024
October 2023 was the same month the building owner allowed the property loan to topple into delinquency.
—George Avalos, The Mercury News, 13 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for delinquency 
Don Lee, Los Angeles Times, 24 May 2024
And low- and middle-income Americans are struggling with record credit card debt and historically high delinquencies, Zandi and Daco say.
—Paul Davidson, USA TODAY, 20 May 2024
Much of Gen Z is already struggling economically, carrying more debt than millennials did at the same age and having higher delinquency rates, factors that make an early retirement even harder to attain.
—Byalicia Adamczyk, Fortune, 16 May 2024
October 2023 was the same month the building owner allowed the property loan to topple into delinquency.
—George Avalos, The Mercury News, 13 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for delinquency
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'delinquency.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near delinquency
Cite this Entry
“Delinquency.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/delinquency. Accessed 7 Jun. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
delinquency
noun
de·lin·quen·cy
di-ˈliŋ-kwən-sē, -ˈlin-
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
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
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