DEFAULT Synonyms: 46 Similar and Opposite Words

default 1 of 2

noun

di-ˈfȯlt

Definition of default

as in negligence

the nonperformance of an assigned or expected action a default in the repayment of a bank loan

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

default

2 of 2

verb

as in to ignore

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Dissimilar Words

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

Noun

By default, the command enables intelligent dictation, but users can also opt into Gemini reasoning. — Bee Wertheimer, PC Magazine, 29 July 2026 Economic concerns are taking center stage for voters who are measuring Hichilema’s macro achievements — including the $13 billion default era debt — against everyday financial reality. — Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 29 July 2026

Verb

Again, there’s probably a good reason the car doesn’t default to whatever the last climate setting was. — Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 16 July 2026 In those circumstances, many voters default to voting based on party loyalty. — Caroline Soler, New York Times, 15 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for default

Recent Examples of Synonyms for default

Noun

Federal law enforcement agencies are generally shielded from legal liability, but there are some exceptions, including some claims of employee negligence.

— CYBELE MAYES-OSTERMAN, ABC News, 21 July 2026
Floridians harmed by government negligence deserve fair compensation, and the claims process exists to provide it.

— Eric "Doc" Stelnicki, Sun Sentinel, 20 July 2026

Definition of negligence

Verb

Renner said Donalds is ignoring base Republican voters in his campaign, especially by refusing to debate him, Collins and conservative activist and investor James Fishback.

— Gray Rohrer, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026
The simple, rather depressing, and completely overwhelming fact of the matter is that the Marvel Cinematic Universe cannot be ignored, even as superhero fatigue has definitively set in at the global box office.

— David Sims, The Atlantic, 30 July 2026

Definition of ignore

Noun

The Illinois Department of Transportation announced that there would be an emergency road closure at the inbound Lawrence Avenue exit on the Kennedy (Interstate 90), citing the early morning concrete retention wall failure as the reason.

— Allison Kiehl, Chicago Tribune, 2 Aug. 2026
These failures stemmed not from new vulnerabilities, but from basic security flaws like weak passwords and unauthenticated endpoints, and reliance on assumptions over robust controls.

— Sandy Carter, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of failure

Verb

Because our governor and attorney general have long disregarded the most effective tools already at their disposal to fulfill their pronounced objective.

— Dean Lerner, Washington Post, 28 July 2026
Further, some parents disregard the possibility of jet lag altogether, as Julissa Baez, pediatrician and clinical professor at New York University, has observed in her practice.

— Sophia Dyer, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 July 2026

Definition of disregard

Noun

Holmes has served as a Court-Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), or someone appointed by a judge to act in the best interest of children who’ve experienced abuse or neglect.

— Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 27 July 2026
With economic upheaval came neglect, and the once-glamorous sanatoriums and baths fell into disrepair.

— Kieron Marchese, Architectural Digest, 27 July 2026

Definition of neglect

Verb

The mine wars were omitted from West Virginia school textbooks, replaced with a patriotic version of the coal industry’s history.

— Elijah TanAll, Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 July 2026
The team’s senior vice president and general counsel, Jeff Dorso, spoke during the public comment and urged the council to omit language that would make the funding contingent upon vertical construction.

— Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 29 July 2026

Definition of omit

Verb

Can the MacBook Neo make the jump to an annual upgrade, perhaps with the original MacBook Neo being passed over to other family members?

— Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
Young and Legette also connected on a zipping pass over the middle in 7-on-7 drills.

— Mike Kaye July 26, Charlotte Observer, 26 July 2026

Definition of pass over

Verb

The poem is rife with open meanings; however, its principal question is important for anyone who has felt slighted or discouraged from conducting their lives with reverie.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 July 2026
Luckily for Rhaena, Lady Jeyne is a pragmatist — and one who feels slighted by Rhaenyra.

— Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 29 June 2026

Definition of slight

Browse Nearby Words

defatted

default

defaulted

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“Default.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/default. Accessed 3 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of default

noun

verb

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