What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
nonfeasance
Example
The mayor was accused of nonfeasance for failing to address the city's rising crime rates. [nonfeasance: noun]
Example
The company's nonfeasance resulted in significant financial losses for its investors. [nonfeasance: noun]
dereliction
Example
The manager was fired for dereliction of duty after failing to meet his sales targets. [dereliction: noun]
Example
The landlord was accused of dereliction for failing to maintain the property, which resulted in significant damage. [dereliction: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Dereliction is more commonly used than nonfeasance in everyday language. Dereliction is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while nonfeasance is less common and is often used in legal contexts.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between nonfeasance and dereliction?
Both nonfeasance and dereliction are formal words that are typically used in legal, military, or government contexts.