as in negligence
the nonperformance of an assigned or expected action
a default in the repayment of a bank loan
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of default
Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
Loan defaults and delinquencies are on the rise again among some of America’s most vulnerable.
—David Goldman, CNN Money, 4 Nov. 2025
Jonathan Vanian, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2025
The researchers' findings show how recent AI models default to Western-style directness, completely missing the cultural cues that govern everyday interactions for millions of Persian speakers worldwide.
—ArsTechnica, 23 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for default
Noun
The suit estimates that the collective financial damage from wrongful defaults could exceed $500 billion.
—Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
Loan defaults and delinquencies are on the rise again among some of America’s most vulnerable.
—David Goldman, CNN Money, 4 Nov. 2025
Verb
Instagram has installed a new privacy setting which will default all new and existing underage accounts to an automatic private mode.
—Jonathan Vanian, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2025
The researchers' findings show how recent AI models default to Western-style directness, completely missing the cultural cues that govern everyday interactions for millions of Persian speakers worldwide.
—ArsTechnica, 23 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for default
Recent Examples of Synonyms for default
Noun
-
Whether the courts view that rift as administrative failure or unlawful negligence may determine the financial futures of a generation of borrowers—and the credibility of the agency that lent to them.—
Robert Alexander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Zwerner has filed a $40 million negligence lawsuit against former Richneck Elementary Assistant Principal Ebony Parker.—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
FOXNews.com,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The same is true of Guiteau’s eventual imprisonment and trial, which aren’t ignored but barely touch on the wackiness that actually ensued.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Nov. 2025
-
There were extremely rich philosophical traditions in the non-Western world that your great books classes completely ignore.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The failures of that occupation were many, relating to security, governance, the economy, and provision of basic municipal services.—
Ben Wedeman,
CNN Money,
5 Nov. 2025
-
My father had two superpowers that saved him in the face of all those failures—his talent for telling stories and gardening.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Christo and Jeanne-Claude disregarded all threats of legal action, directing Running Fence to complete its predestined voyage into the sea.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Some of them blatantly disregarded social distancing and basic hand-washing policies and didn’t separate COVID-19 patients’ and non-COVID patients’ laundry.—
Kevin G. Hall,
Miami Herald,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Parker will appear in criminal court The civil verdict against Parker — who faces eight counts of felony child neglect in a criminal trial next month — provides a window into key evidence and arguments that will likely resurface when Parker appears in criminal court.—
Cindy Von Quednow,
CNN Money,
6 Nov. 2025
-
In a separate legal matter, Parker is facing criminal charges of felony child abuse and neglect for her alleged indifference.—
Gary Grumbach,
NBC news,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
That doesn’t mean that the character Fiyero was totally omitted from the special.—
Lea Veloso,
StyleCaster,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Specifically, the reality star pointed to the show’s tendency to omit or edit around more substantive discussions of her tensions with her castmates as a factor in her decision to exit.—
Samantha Allen,
Them.,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
What To Know Lake-effect snow forms when cold air passes over a lake's warmer waters.—
Anna Skinner,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Nov. 2025
-
His pass over the top of the defense was perfectly placed, allowing Flagg to catch it and do the rest.—
Christian Clark,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Prince Harry also reportedly informed the royal family of his events in advance, so there would be no reason for anyone to feel slighted by his announcement.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
5 Nov. 2025
-
The subtext to the litigation is Oakley’s personal grievance against Dolan, whom the ex-player has long criticized, in part for slighting him compared to other Knicks legends.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
3 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Default.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/default. Accessed 11 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share