default 1 of 2

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

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
As in many European cities, walking is a default form of transportation. Talya Minsberg, New York Times, 21 Jan. 2025 On the new Spin Time models, dolphin grey-colored hours are shown by default—when the appropriate hour comes around, the index flips 90 degrees to display a light-grey version of the appropriate number. Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 21 Jan. 2025
Verb
Chip Somodevilla | Getty This year, for the first time in roughly five years, borrowers who have defaulted on their federal student loan debt will face collection activity, including the garnishment of their wages and retirement benefits. Annie Nova, CNBC, 15 Jan. 2025 Sometimes in adult child and parent relationships, the child might have to take the lead on these conversations if their parents default to casting blame or defensiveness. Allie Volpe, Vox, 15 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for default 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for default
Noun
  • But a report released last week by the Government Accountability Office reveals serious negligence and fiscal mismanagement in Head Start, putting at risk the very children the program claims to help.
    The Wall Street Journal, Twin Cities, 30 Jan. 2025
  • Southern California Edison is at the center of a wave of negligence and wrongful death lawsuits after videos taken by residents showed the flames illuminating the base of one of the utility's electrical towers clustered on a hillside, just as hurricane-force Santa Ana winds tore through the region.
    Erik Ortiz, NBC News, 28 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Peter, on the other hand, is approaching it in a very old fashioned, very masculine, frankly, way of burying it, ignoring it, and that doesn’t often work.
    Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 24 Jan. 2025
  • Johansson shared that Rose recently ignored a boy who had a crush on her, leaving him feeling hurt.
    Annabelle Canela, Parents, 24 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • That has received sharp rebuke from California leaders and water experts who point out that Los Angeles’ water supply is flush after two rainy years, and statewide water supply questions have no relationship to municipal water system failures during the Palisades fire.
    Ari Plachta, Sacramento Bee, 25 Jan. 2025
  • Most interpreted that as a failure to engineer a better pass rush through blitzing, something the 49ers rarely did.
    Matt Barrows, The Athletic, 24 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • This comment may come from a good place, but still manages to disregard what makes the birthing parent comfortable.
    Annabelle Canela, Parents, 23 Jan. 2025
  • In the case of one Premier League manager, any player falling below a certain value — literally any player — is disregarded instantly.
    Phil Hay, The Athletic, 21 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Other forms of childhood adversity — emotional abuse, neglect, household mental illness, substance abuse, and exposure to parental domestic violence — were not significantly associated with stroke in this study.
    Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 22 Jan. 2025
  • Home Start, a nonprofit dedicated to preventing child abuse and neglect, was recently awarded a $100,000 gift from Guild Giving Foundation, a nonprofit under Guild Mortgage Company.
    News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Some users posted screenshots of their results showing how the lists omitted Biden.
    Jennifer Elias, CNBC, 23 Jan. 2025
  • Meanwhile, higher-paying roles tend to omit standard perks, like retirement plans or paid time off, likely on the assumption that senior-level talent already expects them.
    Cynthia Pong, JD, Forbes, 19 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Princess Iman isn’t the only sibling the throne passes over— her younger sister, Princess Salma, is in the same spot.
    Janine Henni, People.com, 24 Jan. 2025
  • If he’s passed over for the coordinator job again — Penn State did this last year with Allen — at some point, Poindexter might need to go elsewhere to take that next step.
    Audrey Snyder, The Athletic, 24 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Liska and Copper’s text also, uncomfortably, makes constant, slighting reference to Bachrach’s body.
    Helen Shaw, The New Yorker, 13 Dec. 2024
  • The deference being shown to the Big Ten and SEC conferences isn’t sitting well with some outsiders, who feel they are being slighted by the CFP selection committee.
    Kevin Dotson, CNN, 19 Nov. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near default

Cite this Entry

“Default.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/default. Accessed 5 Feb. 2025.

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