flagrant dereliction

USAGE SUMMARY

"flagrant dereliction" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe a blatant or egregious failure to fulfill a duty or responsibility. An example: "The manager's flagrant dereliction of duty led to the project's failure." Alternative expressions include "gross negligence" and "blatant neglect."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

That's because, in flagrant dereliction of state environmental law, the towns of Brookhaven, Riverhead and Southampton have approved project after project while steadfastly refusing to study their effects.

The New York Times

He also said leaving the European Union in a disorderly way would be a "flagrant dereliction of duty".

BBC

The American Apparel story is a saga of sleazy behavior and flagrant dereliction of duty.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Gene Hackman is the pater-unfamilias, Royal Tenenbaum, and his family is named after him in the American society manner, despite his flagrant and culpable absence from the family home, his appalling dereliction of family duty which, as well as perfuming the title with irony, carries a hint of "royal family" about it.

The Guardian - Film

No flagrant.

The New York Times - Sports

Then came dereliction.

The New York Times

Cottages in dereliction.

The Guardian - Opinion

Dereliction of duty, indeed.

The Washington Post

Seaside dereliction a-plenty.

The Guardian - Money

Flagrant display of weapons.

The Washington Post

A flagrant polluter.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "flagrant dereliction" to emphasize a clear and unacceptable failure to fulfill a known duty. Reserve this phrase for situations where the negligence is particularly obvious and has significant consequences.

Common error

Avoid using "flagrant dereliction" in trivial scenarios. This phrase carries a strong connotation of serious misconduct; using it lightly diminishes its impact and can sound hyperbolic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "flagrant dereliction" functions as a noun phrase, specifically describing a situation or behavior. As Ludwig AI suggests, this phrase is used to describe a blatant or egregious failure to fulfill a duty or responsibility. The word "flagrant" emphasizes the obvious and unacceptable nature of the dereliction.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "flagrant dereliction" signifies a blatant failure to fulfill a duty, as highlighted by Ludwig AI. The phrase is grammatically correct and typically appears in neutral contexts, particularly in news and media. While not commonly used, it is appropriate for expressing strong disapproval of serious negligence. When writing, reserve "flagrant dereliction" for situations where the failure is both obvious and consequential to maintain the phrase's impact. Consider alternatives like "gross negligence" or "blatant disregard" to add nuance. As Ludwig confirms, this phrase is a potent descriptor for emphasizing severe failures in responsibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gross negligence

Focuses on the extreme lack of care or competence in fulfilling a responsibility, similar to a very obvious failure.

egregious neglect

Emphasizes the shocking and outstanding nature of the neglect, highlighting its severity.

blatant disregard

Highlights the open and unashamed nature of ignoring a duty or responsibility.

willful negligence

Indicates a conscious and deliberate choice to neglect a duty.

serious breach of duty

A more formal way of expressing a significant failure to fulfill obligations.

outrageous negligence

Stresses how appalling and unacceptable the negligence is.

conspicuous neglect

Highlights the obvious and easily noticeable nature of the neglect.

obvious failure to perform

Focuses on the clear and undeniable lack of performance in a duty.

extreme oversight

Highlights a major and unacceptable error or omission in performing a duty.

severe dereliction of responsibility

Highlights the severe failure to meet the expected level of accountability, shifting emphasis to responsibility.

FAQs

What does "flagrant dereliction" mean?

"Flagrant dereliction" refers to a blatant or obvious failure to fulfill a duty or responsibility.

How can I use "flagrant dereliction" in a sentence?

You might say, "The official's "flagrant dereliction" of duty led to significant financial losses for the company."

What are some alternatives to "flagrant dereliction"?

Alternatives include "gross negligence", "egregious neglect", or "blatant disregard".

Is "flagrant dereliction" a formal or informal expression?

"Flagrant dereliction" is a relatively formal expression, suitable for professional or news contexts rather than casual conversation.