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

Then decision-makers default to instinct instead of data when insights fall short. — Kevin Campbell, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026 The company also recently changed its data retention policy, changing the default from 30 days to 7 days for images of vehicles. — Irene Wright, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026

Verb

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 Fatigue, low motivation, weight gain and irritability are being reclaimed by primary care as signals of sleep debt, metabolic disease and untreated depression rather than default hormone problems. — Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 27 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for default

Recent Examples of Synonyms for default

Noun

Earlier this year, two men, Christopher Sage and Terry Thompson, sued DraftKings, FanDuel and other companies for negligence, design defect, failure to warn, unfair trade practices and related claims.

— Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 1 Sep. 2026
After the crash, Bustillos was charged with one count of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence.

— Jacob Sisneros, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of negligence

Verb

Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has denied accusations that the government ignored warnings about an impending mass border crossing from Morocco to the enclave of Ceuta.

— Jack Guy, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2026
The numbers are impossible to ignore, while Boteli’s bustling physical profile — two-footed, quick, and comfortable through the middle or out wide — means that a move to Europe’s top five leagues will soon be on the cards.

— Thom Harris, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of ignore

Noun

The failures resulted in a divorce during the offseason and this exhibition game at Hard Rock Stadium was the first time the couple happened to be at the same place at the same time since the split.

— Armando Salguero OutKick, FOXNews.com, 29 Aug. 2026
For five months, these players have underperformed, much to the chagrin of their front offices and the fans, who repeatedly boo their failures.

— Dan Freedman, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of failure

Verb

On rare occasions the selection of award recipients has also served as a critique of public policy and institutional practices that have disregarded scientific evidence or been grounded in unscientific reasoning.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 31 Aug. 2026
The judge denied the mistrial motion, siding with the prosecution that the jury will be told to disregard the comments on Clancy’s faith.

— NBC News, NBC news, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of disregard

Noun

Nacua’s ex-girlfriend and the mother of his child, Hallie Aiono, has now accused him of abuse and neglect during their four-year relationship.

— Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 2 Sep. 2026
Maryland provides legal representation to children involved in abuse and neglect, termination-of-parental-rights and related proceedings.

— John Mattingly, Baltimore Sun, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of neglect

Verb

He’s particularly drawn to episodes that are discomforting for his countrymen—the Dreyfus Affair, and, a recent obsession, French accommodation in Nazi rule during the Occupation, a national embarrassment that was long passed over in silence.

— David Denby, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
Shortly after being passed over, she was presented with Alias.

— Derek Lawrence, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of pass over

Verb

But after reaching All-Star status for the first time in his career, after keeping the Heat afloat through the first half of last season while Herro was sidelined, Norman Powell need offer no apology for feeling slighted.

— Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 15 Aug. 2026
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

Definition of slight

Browse Nearby Words

defatted

default

defaulted

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Style

“Default.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/default. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of default

noun

verb

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