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
And inflation and high interest rates have squeezed low- and middle-income Americans, leading those households to drive record U.S. credit card debt and elevated delinquencies.
—
Paul Davidson, USA TODAY, 6 Dec. 2024
While credit card debt continues to climb to nosebleed heights, delinquencies are slowing and average balances are lower relative to borrowers’ earnings than before the pandemic.
—J.j. McCorvey, NBC News, 5 Dec. 2024
Additionally, many consumers are entering third-party collections for the first time, despite having no prior delinquencies on their credit reports.
—Gary Drenik, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
That's despite some warning signs that have percolated for months, including a choppy job market, high interest rates weighing on homebuilding, higher debt delinquencies and more.
—Courtenay Brown, Axios, 30 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for delinquency 
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Paul Davidson, USA TODAY, 6 Dec. 2024
While credit card debt continues to climb to nosebleed heights, delinquencies are slowing and average balances are lower relative to borrowers’ earnings than before the pandemic.
—J.j. McCorvey, NBC News, 5 Dec. 2024
Additionally, many consumers are entering third-party collections for the first time, despite having no prior delinquencies on their credit reports.
—Gary Drenik, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
That's despite some warning signs that have percolated for months, including a choppy job market, high interest rates weighing on homebuilding, higher debt delinquencies and more.
—Courtenay Brown, Axios, 30 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for delinquency
Dictionary Entries Near delinquency
Cite this Entry
“Delinquency.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/delinquency. Accessed 17 Dec. 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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