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

Older formats are attracting buyers who want something different from the modern default. — Ashley Lynch, Charlotte Observer, 21 Oct. 2026 Wolf said that Netflix is the default streaming service for many consumers and that the company has opportunities to grow in other markets like the Middle East and Asia, and in its ads business. — Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026

Verb

And in the fall, when so many guys can default to wearing blue, brown, gray, and khaki, the same can be said of our wardrobes. — Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 3 Oct. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for default

Recent Examples of Synonyms for default

Noun

Protesters said that rampant graft led to negligence during renovation work at the Novi Sad station, and eventually to the canopy collapse.

— ABC News, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026
Hwang had barred Rinderknecht’s attorney, Steve Haney, from raising allegations of negligence by the fire department.

— Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of negligence

Noun

Even if Theranos had a functioning testing machine, the economic model on which is was based would result in failure.

— Torie Bosch, STAT, 24 Oct. 2026
Even among voters who want Republicans to retain control, 17% cited weak AI and data center oversight — second only to a failure to bring down prices.

— Luke Fountain, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of failure

Verb

The vote of five siblings to sell the shares triggered the termination clause in the trust, and the filing argues that the trust doesn’t grant trustees discretion to disregard a valid vote to terminate.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
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

Definition of disregard

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

Under pressure on third down, the senior quarterback scrambled and then threw a late pass over the middle.

— Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026
Chang was steadily promoted before he was passed over for the position of chief executive, perhaps for bamboo-ceiling reasons.

— Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 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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Cite this Entry

Style

“Default.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/default. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of default

noun

verb

Example Sentences

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