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

Related Words

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

Nothing’s default Balanced EQ setting is forward in the mids and highs. — John Higgins, The Verge, 29 Sep. 2026 These questions matter more now because Arkansas no longer operates under a single default model of education. — Arkansas Online, 28 Sep. 2026

Verb

Under the settlement, teen accounts would default to a setting that limits cumulative use across both Facebook and Instagram to two hours per day. — Steve Kopack, NBC news, 26 Aug. 2026 As Built In reported, when managers reward accelerated output above all else, employees default to quantity over quality, and those on the receiving end spend extra time fixing what AI produced. — Dan Schawbel, Fortune, 4 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for default

Recent Examples of Synonyms for default

Noun

The suit accuses Publix of wrongful death, alleging breach of warranty and negligence.

— Chiara Kim, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2026
His widow, Yaraisi Santiso Morejon, who also represents Rodriguez’s estate in the lawsuit, alleges that negligence contributed to her husband’s death and that the incident was avoidable.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of negligence

Verb

Kalra’s bill would have added, in essence, an official recognition to state law that California’s water rights system ignores how land was taken from Native Americans during colonization.

— Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 1 Oct. 2026
Most of them appear gradually, which is exactly why they get ignored.

— Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of ignore

Noun

Repeating that process places significant stress on components, increasing operational and capital costs due to the risk of failure, maintenance requirements and downtime.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 26 Sep. 2026
The driver, identified as 54-year-old Robert Delorenzo of Stratford, was arrested and charged with reckless driving, operating an unregistered motor vehicle and failure to stop on the right side of the road.

— Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 26 Sep. 2026

Definition of failure

Verb

In the tape of the 9-1-1 call, Randolph can be heard disregarding paramedic’s orders, giving Causse chest compressions even after he was instructed to not touch the body.

— CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 30 Sep. 2026
Problems also arise, agents say, when a community’s history is disregarded.

— Emily Hochberg, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of disregard

Noun

Long-term national data has shown that states that have previously expanded access to SNAP benefits had reduced numbers of CPS investigations and substantiated reports of abuse and neglect, as well as fewer foster care placements.

— Sandy Santana, STAT, 29 Sep. 2026
Johnny JeanBaptiste, 36, and Stacia McMillian, 32, were charged with one count of child neglect without great bodily harm after deputies responded to the report of the wandering toddler, officials said.

— Felix Rodriguez, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Sep. 2026

Definition of neglect

Verb

Stockton had thrown 57 passes this season without an interception before his pass over the middle — intended for Lawson Luckie — was tipped by Oklahoma linebacker Kip Lewis and picked off by Omarion Robinson at the UGA 35.

— Mike Griffith, AJC.com, 27 Sep. 2026
Rookie Sonny Styles had an interception, and after Washington had taken a 27-24 lead, Medrano picked off Sam Darnold’s pass over the middle and ran it back all the way to put the Commanders (1-2) two scores ahead.

— ABC News, ABC News, 27 Sep. 2026

Definition of pass over

Verb

Yet what follows is an extended list of ethical sins, with a focus on the sins of abusive speech, such as slandering, slurring, slighting and smearing the reputations of others.

— Reuven Kimelman, The Conversation, 18 Sep. 2026
The other four QBs peaked inside the top 10 last season, so they’ve all been slighted to a degree with the initial rankings of 2026.

— Jeff Howe, New York Times, 8 Sep. 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 2 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of default

noun

verb

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