as in negligence
the nonperformance of an assigned or expected action
a default in the repayment of a bank loan
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of default
Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 29 Apr. 2026
Infinity is assumed by default.
—Quanta Magazine, 29 Apr. 2026
Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 5 Apr. 2026
Years of seasonal allergies or sinus trouble can train the body to default to mouth breathing even when the nasal passages are open.
—Allison Palmer, Miami Herald, 25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for default
Noun
The Dam Nation purchase agreement was structured through a promissory note carrying 5% annual interest, with an additional 5% penalty rate triggered in the event of default.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 29 Apr. 2026
Infinity is assumed by default.
—Quanta Magazine, 29 Apr. 2026
Verb
When a long-term care placement can’t be found, the bill would default to sending defendants to the state mental health hospital in Pueblo — a facility that is perpetually full and understaffed.
—Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 5 Apr. 2026
Years of seasonal allergies or sinus trouble can train the body to default to mouth breathing even when the nasal passages are open.
—Allison Palmer, Miami Herald, 25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for default
Recent Examples of Synonyms for default
Noun
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His mother and young son sued in 2022, alleging wrongful death, assault and battery, and negligence.—
Teri Figueroa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
-
The lawsuit accused the Port of Bremerton of gross negligence and breach of contract for its failure to ensure safety at the marina.—
Anthony Thompson,
USA Today,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The federal judge in that case ruled that a jury could find that State Farm had acted in bad faith if the plaintiffs' lawyers demonstrated that the company ignored certain kinds of hail damage.—
Michael Copley,
NPR,
28 Apr. 2026
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In crush, puncture, and saw tests, the battery produced no smoke or flames – a safety profile that's hard to ignore.—
Omar Kardoudi
April 28,
New Atlas,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Their bite can lead to rapid respiratory failure and paralysis without prompt medical treatment.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
29 Apr. 2026
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Doe alleges the school’s failure to act caused long-term emotional and psychological harm that continues today.—
Lexi Nicklaus,
Baltimore Sun,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Tilmant, who assumed office in January, seemed to disregard Mayor Phillips’s plea for a more-thorough evaluation of the safety implications of the quiet zone, abruptly calling for a vote on the project.—
Noah Daly
April 24,
Idaho Statesman,
24 Apr. 2026
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In choosing Love, the Cardinals disregarded conventional wisdom that quality running backs can be plucked much later in the draft and at a much lower cost.—
Elizabeth Robinson,
NBC news,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Cornelius endorsed the revitalization plan in 2022, which seeks to modernize the area and fix problems stemming from long-term neglect.—
Nick Sullivan,
Charlotte Observer,
28 Apr. 2026
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Strength in one pillar supports the others; neglect in one weakens all three.—
William Jones,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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But, the final cut that made it to theaters is instead one that ends in 1988, omitting any mention of the singer's troubling history.—
Jordana Comiter,
PEOPLE,
25 Apr. 2026
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Even small errors like misreporting income, omitting a creditor or undervaluing property can lead to delays, dismissed cases or even accusations of fraud.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
However, Los Angeles was passed over.—
City News Service,
Daily News,
25 Apr. 2026
-
O’Neill was passed over in 2024 to run Nike (Elliott Hill came out of retirement for the gig) after a quarter century at the sneaker maker.—
Shelly Banjo,
semafor.com,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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But in discharging this function, poets are in danger of slighting another imperative, namely, to redress poetry as poetry, to set it up as its own category, an eminence established and a pressure exercised by distinctly linguistic means.—
Nick Laird,
The New York Review of Books,
25 Apr. 2026
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Too few compliments make kids feel slighted, while too many can inspire arrogance.—
Wayne Parker,
Parents,
8 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Default.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/default. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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