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
CBS News, 14 Jan. 2026
That might end up happening by default next season.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 14 Jan. 2026
Todd Harmonson, Oc Register, 23 Dec. 2025
Spending more on other products, especially housing, means households have less to spend on car payments, which is leading some to default on their loans.
—Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for default
Noun
No representative for the company showed up to the hearings, and the tenants both won default judgments.
—CBS News, 14 Jan. 2026
That might end up happening by default next season.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 14 Jan. 2026
Verb
When Walker entered a conference room in 2019 and unveiled an ambitious, $1 billion plan to radically improve cancer care in Orange County to a few journalists – who tend to default toward skepticism – the audacity of her hope was infectious.
—Todd Harmonson, Oc Register, 23 Dec. 2025
Spending more on other products, especially housing, means households have less to spend on car payments, which is leading some to default on their loans.
—Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for default
Recent Examples of Synonyms for default
Noun
-
The lawsuit also alleges WSU was liable for claims of outrageous conduct and other forms of negligence.—
Kevin Fixler,
Idaho Statesman,
8 Jan. 2026
-
The legal claims included negligence, wrongful death, deceptive trade practices, and product liability.—
Beatrice Nolan,
Fortune,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Authorities said Sutton ignored multiple commands to comply and resisted detention.—
Jasmine Baehr,
FOXNews.com,
9 Jan. 2026
-
The background checks on Cook, if in fact there were any, were totally ignored.—
Howie Carr,
Boston Herald,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Patients’ failure to take their medicine as prescribed is a major challenge that contributes to hundreds of thousands of preventable deaths and billions of dollars in health care costs annually.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Continue reading … SKIDDING TO SAFETY – All plane tires burst on Boeing 767 during harrowing landing failure.—
,
FOXNews.com,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Judge Sid Harle denied their request for a mistrial but instructed the jury to disregard her testimony.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Bukele has disregarded due process and repealed term limits in El Salvador; according to Human Rights Watch, prisoners at CECOT are routinely tortured.—
Dexter Filkins,
New Yorker,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The sites of protest include small cities such as Abadan and the Kurdish-majority Malekshahi in the southwestern Ilam province, where economic grievances, unemployment, and state neglect are stark.—
Bobby Ghosh,
Time,
9 Jan. 2026
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For neighborhood residents, the properties have become symbols of disinvestment and neglect, drawing growing calls for city government to intervene.—
Frederick Melo,
Twin Cities,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Lastly, left back Rafael Santos was omitted after providing a huge offensive spark as a wingback toward the end of 2025.—
Braidon Nourse,
Denver Post,
15 Jan. 2026
-
That absence recalls how Black communities have been deliberately omitted from Miami’s master plans for generations, first through segregation and redlining, now through redevelopment that renders the people who lived here an inconvenient memory.—
Alexandra Martinez,
Artforum,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Since being elected to the board in 2021, Foley has been passed over for the top position multiple times.—
Claire Wang,
Oc Register,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Jennings completed more passes over 15 air yards (one) than opposing quarterback Jalen Hurts did all game (0-for-5).—
Jayna Bardahl,
New York Times,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
But try to understand why your mom's feeling slighted.—
Ashlyn Robinette,
PEOPLE,
16 Dec. 2025
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Paramount feels slighted and discriminated against in the sale process.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
8 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Default.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/default. Accessed 16 Jan. 2026.
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