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

The cost to insure $1 million of CoreWeave’s bonds against the risk of a default has risen from under $40,000 a year ago for five years to $100,000 today. — Ellen Dimauro, semafor.com, 15 Oct. 2026 For instance, if YieldStar recommended a 4 percent daily hike, partial autoaccept would implement only the default 3 percent. — Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2026

Verb

Freedom Without Compromise Compliance and security teams may instinctively default to no because the risks are incredibly high. — David Matalon, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2026 Flipping the lecture cycle Classically, engineering courses default to hours of lectures where students are expected to take notes, with problem sets and exams bolted on. — Jason Corso, Time, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for default

Recent Examples of Synonyms for default

Noun

Executives are currently shielded behind their companies, with corporate financial penalties for misconduct or negligence often amounting to a fraction of their turnover and valuations – just another line item.

— Giorgos Tsetis, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026
Earlier versions of Florida law generally provided four years for negligence actions.

— Emma Clapp, Miami Herald, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of negligence

Noun

The question confronting Israel and its international partners is not simply whether money should flow into Gaza, but also who controls it—and whether the next arrangement will avoid the failures of the last.

— Eric Cortellessa, Time, 18 Oct. 2026
Special-teams breakdowns — including a 70-yard kickoff return and two field-goal failures — played a big role in the Rams’ 37-34 overtime loss to Buffalo.

— Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of failure

Verb

These potential lines of attack are applicable to DeWine’s order, which authorizes colleges in his state to disregard NCAA rules.

— Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 14 Oct. 2026
For the first time in decades, immigration authorities could disregard those protections and more freely arrest, detain and deport immigrant victims.

— Melissa Sanchez, ProPublica, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of disregard

Noun

Another on-ramp to the fragile pathway is a childhood of abuse, neglect, or other recurring traumatic experiences.

— Maia Szalavitz, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
After decades of neglect and subsequent disrepair, it was recently restored into a luxurious one-bedroom retreat that honors its historic roots while embracing contemporary amenities like a king bed, an en-suite bathroom, and a sleek living area.

— Madeline Weinfield, Architectural Digest, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of neglect

Verb

The most egregious perpetrators of fraud in the industry were corrupt doctors who were paid by patients to send insurance companies medical examination reports that omitted unfavorable findings.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2026
Some late nights are inevitable — emergency operations, sick patients, and complicated care transitions are a fundamental part of training that should not be omitted.

— Arifeen Rahman, STAT, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of omit

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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Cite this Entry

Style

“Default.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/default. Accessed 22 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of default

noun

verb

Example Sentences

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