in default

phrase

: having missed a payment that is due
She's in default on her loan.

Examples of in default in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Thirteen are rated at very high risk or in default, and 23 have no rating from the big agencies, which cuts them from international bond markets. — Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 7 Oct. 2026 The county’s options for the facility range from holding Discovery Place in default and taking over the nature museum to accepting Discovery Place’s terms and giving the organization decades to repay the debt, staff said. — Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 7 Oct. 2026 Borrowers who are delinquent, but not in default, can make arrangements with their loan servicer, such as changing repayment plans or requesting a temporary pause in payments. — Raynee Howell, Oklahoma Watch, 12 Sep. 2026 More than a half-million Floridians in default on federal student loans are at risk of having up to 15% of their post-tax paychecks garnished if the Department of Education decides to resume collections. — Jessica Lipscomb, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for in default

Rhymes for in default

See All Rhymes for in default

Browse Nearby Words

indefatigable
in default
in default of
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“In default.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/in%20default. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of deportment

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Why do we call it a 'flea market'?
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a cup of tea and a golf ball on tee side by side
Quiz: Sounds Like... Choose the word that sounds like it fits the clue...
See All