as in negligence
the nonperformance of an assigned or expected action
a default in the repayment of a bank loan
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of default
Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 29 Apr. 2026
Infinity is assumed by default.
—Quanta Magazine, 29 Apr. 2026
Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 5 Apr. 2026
Years of seasonal allergies or sinus trouble can train the body to default to mouth breathing even when the nasal passages are open.
—Allison Palmer, Miami Herald, 25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for default
Noun
The Dam Nation purchase agreement was structured through a promissory note carrying 5% annual interest, with an additional 5% penalty rate triggered in the event of default.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 29 Apr. 2026
Infinity is assumed by default.
—Quanta Magazine, 29 Apr. 2026
Verb
When a long-term care placement can’t be found, the bill would default to sending defendants to the state mental health hospital in Pueblo — a facility that is perpetually full and understaffed.
—Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 5 Apr. 2026
Years of seasonal allergies or sinus trouble can train the body to default to mouth breathing even when the nasal passages are open.
—Allison Palmer, Miami Herald, 25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for default
Recent Examples of Synonyms for default
Noun
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By widening the lens, Clark is able to redirect the book’s gaze from the mother toward a quizzical, sometimes critical, but not unaffectionate portrait of two generations of political activism, with the attendant self-involvement and domestic negligence.—
James Wood,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
-
His attorney argued that the charges should be reduced to involuntary manslaughter and that prosecutors couldn’t prove more than criminal negligence.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
4 May 2026
Verb
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The federal judge in that case ruled that a jury could find that State Farm had acted in bad faith if the plaintiffs' lawyers demonstrated that the company ignored certain kinds of hail damage.—
Michael Copley,
NPR,
28 Apr. 2026
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In crush, puncture, and saw tests, the battery produced no smoke or flames – a safety profile that's hard to ignore.—
Omar Kardoudi
April 28,
New Atlas,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Their bite can lead to rapid respiratory failure and paralysis without prompt medical treatment.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Doe alleges the school’s failure to act caused long-term emotional and psychological harm that continues today.—
Lexi Nicklaus,
Baltimore Sun,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Judge Jeanmarie Carroll, at times, instructed jurors to disregard portions of Adams’ testimony that went beyond the scope of the questions.—
Michael Casey,
Chicago Tribune,
4 May 2026
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The story was told by media that took the league seriously when elsewhere it had been disregarded as a niche.—
Candace Buckner,
New York Times,
4 May 2026
Noun
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Cornelius endorsed the revitalization plan in 2022, which seeks to modernize the area and fix problems stemming from long-term neglect.—
Nick Sullivan,
Charlotte Observer,
28 Apr. 2026
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Strength in one pillar supports the others; neglect in one weakens all three.—
William Jones,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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But, the final cut that made it to theaters is instead one that ends in 1988, omitting any mention of the singer's troubling history.—
Jordana Comiter,
PEOPLE,
25 Apr. 2026
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Even small errors like misreporting income, omitting a creditor or undervaluing property can lead to delays, dismissed cases or even accusations of fraud.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Decadent art, with its mannerism, also its enthusiasm for skulls, swords, strippers, and other Hot Topic motifs, is for some art historians an embarrassing cul-de-sac best passed over in favor of a narrative of formal progress leading inevitably to abstraction.—
Olivia Kan-Sperling,
Artforum,
2 May 2026
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The rule offers a real pathway for films passed over by their own countries’ submission committees.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
1 May 2026
Verb
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As Cretton and Guest looked on and occasionally interjected, Abdul-Mateen described a tough first Zoom meeting that left him feeling slighted.—
Borys Kit,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Apr. 2026
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Hitler always felt slighted by that rejection and, in later political life, preferred to spend most of his time discussing architecture and art.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Default.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/default. Accessed 6 May. 2026.
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