diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 99b432ba..83c6627e 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -1,6 +1,25 @@
 # Changelog
 All notable changes to this project will be documented in this file. Dates are displayed in UTC.
 
+# [4.0.0](https://github.com/RebeccaStevens/deepmerge-ts/compare/v3.0.1...v4.0.0) (2022-02-26)
+
+
+### Bug Fixes
+
+* improve meta data typings ([#61](https://github.com/RebeccaStevens/deepmerge-ts/issues/61)) ([9a881d3](https://github.com/RebeccaStevens/deepmerge-ts/commit/9a881d3e55762da03b0d0f465d7e958d81fd0958))
+
+
+### Features
+
+* allow for default merging via a special return value ([658d1fd](https://github.com/RebeccaStevens/deepmerge-ts/commit/658d1fd454fe095e6c7f2be22ccf4823fe0ea6ef))
+* allow for implicit default merging ([1d5e617](https://github.com/RebeccaStevens/deepmerge-ts/commit/1d5e617bc4980f64a75fa9da1397979b2310fc06))
+* allow for skipping properties completely via a special return value ([#64](https://github.com/RebeccaStevens/deepmerge-ts/issues/64)) ([676f2f6](https://github.com/RebeccaStevens/deepmerge-ts/commit/676f2f6593d6baf0e1b31f29c83bac7c392e7ce2))
+
+
+### BREAKING CHANGES
+
+* MetaMetaData now must extends DeepMergeBuiltInMetaData
+
 ## [3.0.1](https://github.com/RebeccaStevens/deepmerge-ts/compare/v3.0.0...v3.0.1) (2022-02-22)
 
 
diff --git a/dist/deno/deepmerge.ts b/dist/deno/deepmerge.ts
index 364504ec..e6e5da42 100644
--- a/dist/deno/deepmerge.ts
+++ b/dist/deno/deepmerge.ts
@@ -20,13 +20,21 @@ import {
 } from "./utils.ts";
 
 const defaultMergeFunctions = {
-  mergeMaps,
-  mergeSets,
-  mergeArrays,
-  mergeRecords,
+  mergeMaps: defaultMergeMaps,
+  mergeSets: defaultMergeSets,
+  mergeArrays: defaultMergeArrays,
+  mergeRecords: defaultMergeRecords,
   mergeOthers: leaf,
 } as const;
 
+/**
+ * Special values that tell deepmerge-ts to perform a certain action.
+ */
+const actions = {
+  defaultMerge: Symbol("deepmerge-ts: default merge"),
+  skip: Symbol("deepmerge-ts: skip"),
+} as const;
+
 /**
  * The default function to update meta data.
  */
@@ -87,9 +95,7 @@ export function deepmergeCustom<
 export function deepmergeCustom<
   PMF extends Partial<DeepMergeMergeFunctionsURIs>,
   MetaData,
-  MetaMetaData extends Readonly<
-    Record<PropertyKey, unknown>
-  > = DeepMergeBuiltInMetaData
+  MetaMetaData extends DeepMergeBuiltInMetaData = DeepMergeBuiltInMetaData
 >(
   options: DeepMergeOptions<MetaData, MetaMetaData>,
   rootMetaData?: MetaData
@@ -100,7 +106,7 @@ export function deepmergeCustom<
 export function deepmergeCustom<
   PMF extends Partial<DeepMergeMergeFunctionsURIs>,
   MetaData,
-  MetaMetaData extends Readonly<Record<PropertyKey, unknown>>
+  MetaMetaData extends DeepMergeBuiltInMetaData
 >(
   options: DeepMergeOptions<MetaData, MetaMetaData>,
   rootMetaData?: MetaData
@@ -140,7 +146,7 @@ export function deepmergeCustom<
  *
  * @param options - The options the user specified
  */
-function getUtils<M, MM extends Readonly<Record<PropertyKey, unknown>>>(
+function getUtils<M, MM extends DeepMergeBuiltInMetaData>(
   options: DeepMergeOptions<M, MM>,
   customizedDeepmerge: DeepMergeMergeFunctionUtils<M, MM>["deepmerge"]
 ): DeepMergeMergeFunctionUtils<M, MM> {
@@ -164,6 +170,8 @@ function getUtils<M, MM extends Readonly<Record<PropertyKey, unknown>>>(
       MM
     >["metaDataUpdater"],
     deepmerge: customizedDeepmerge,
+    useImplicitDefaultMerging: options.enableImplicitDefaultMerging ?? false,
+    actions,
   };
 }
 
@@ -177,17 +185,17 @@ function mergeUnknowns<
   U extends DeepMergeMergeFunctionUtils<M, MM>,
   MF extends DeepMergeMergeFunctionsURIs,
   M,
-  MM extends Readonly<Record<PropertyKey, unknown>>
+  MM extends DeepMergeBuiltInMetaData
 >(values: Ts, utils: U, meta: M | undefined): DeepMergeHKT<Ts, MF, M> {
   if (values.length === 0) {
     return undefined as DeepMergeHKT<Ts, MF, M>;
   }
   if (values.length === 1) {
-    return utils.mergeFunctions.mergeOthers(
-      values,
-      utils,
-      meta
-    ) as DeepMergeHKT<Ts, MF, M>;
+    return mergeOthers<U, M, MM>(values, utils, meta) as DeepMergeHKT<
+      Ts,
+      MF,
+      M
+    >;
   }
 
   const type = getObjectType(values[0]);
@@ -200,49 +208,49 @@ function mergeUnknowns<
         continue;
       }
 
-      return utils.mergeFunctions.mergeOthers(
-        values,
-        utils,
-        meta
-      ) as DeepMergeHKT<Ts, MF, M>;
+      return mergeOthers<U, M, MM>(values, utils, meta) as DeepMergeHKT<
+        Ts,
+        MF,
+        M
+      >;
     }
   }
 
   switch (type) {
     case ObjectType.RECORD:
-      return utils.mergeFunctions.mergeRecords(
+      return mergeRecords<U, MF, M, MM>(
         values as ReadonlyArray<Readonly<Record<PropertyKey, unknown>>>,
         utils,
         meta
       ) as DeepMergeHKT<Ts, MF, M>;
 
     case ObjectType.ARRAY:
-      return utils.mergeFunctions.mergeArrays(
+      return mergeArrays<U, M, MM>(
         values as ReadonlyArray<Readonly<ReadonlyArray<unknown>>>,
         utils,
         meta
       ) as DeepMergeHKT<Ts, MF, M>;
 
     case ObjectType.SET:
-      return utils.mergeFunctions.mergeSets(
+      return mergeSets<U, M, MM>(
         values as ReadonlyArray<Readonly<ReadonlySet<unknown>>>,
         utils,
         meta
       ) as DeepMergeHKT<Ts, MF, M>;
 
     case ObjectType.MAP:
-      return utils.mergeFunctions.mergeMaps(
+      return mergeMaps<U, M, MM>(
         values as ReadonlyArray<Readonly<ReadonlyMap<unknown, unknown>>>,
         utils,
         meta
       ) as DeepMergeHKT<Ts, MF, M>;
 
     default:
-      return utils.mergeFunctions.mergeOthers(
-        values,
-        utils,
-        meta
-      ) as DeepMergeHKT<Ts, MF, M>;
+      return mergeOthers<U, M, MM>(values, utils, meta) as DeepMergeHKT<
+        Ts,
+        MF,
+        M
+      >;
   }
 }
 
@@ -252,6 +260,148 @@ function mergeUnknowns<
  * @param values - The records.
  */
 function mergeRecords<
+  U extends DeepMergeMergeFunctionUtils<M, MM>,
+  MF extends DeepMergeMergeFunctionsURIs,
+  M,
+  MM extends DeepMergeBuiltInMetaData
+>(
+  values: ReadonlyArray<Readonly<Record<PropertyKey, unknown>>>,
+  utils: U,
+  meta: M | undefined
+) {
+  const result = utils.mergeFunctions.mergeRecords(values, utils, meta);
+
+  if (
+    result === actions.defaultMerge ||
+    (utils.useImplicitDefaultMerging &&
+      result === undefined &&
+      utils.mergeFunctions.mergeRecords !==
+        utils.defaultMergeFunctions.mergeRecords)
+  ) {
+    return utils.defaultMergeFunctions.mergeRecords<
+      ReadonlyArray<Readonly<Record<PropertyKey, unknown>>>,
+      U,
+      MF,
+      M,
+      MM
+    >(values, utils, meta);
+  }
+
+  return result;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Merge arrays.
+ *
+ * @param values - The arrays.
+ */
+function mergeArrays<
+  U extends DeepMergeMergeFunctionUtils<M, MM>,
+  M,
+  MM extends DeepMergeBuiltInMetaData
+>(
+  values: ReadonlyArray<Readonly<ReadonlyArray<unknown>>>,
+  utils: U,
+  meta: M | undefined
+) {
+  const result = utils.mergeFunctions.mergeArrays(values, utils, meta);
+
+  if (
+    result === actions.defaultMerge ||
+    (utils.useImplicitDefaultMerging &&
+      result === undefined &&
+      utils.mergeFunctions.mergeArrays !==
+        utils.defaultMergeFunctions.mergeArrays)
+  ) {
+    return utils.defaultMergeFunctions.mergeArrays(values);
+  }
+  return result;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Merge sets.
+ *
+ * @param values - The sets.
+ */
+function mergeSets<
+  U extends DeepMergeMergeFunctionUtils<M, MM>,
+  M,
+  MM extends DeepMergeBuiltInMetaData
+>(
+  values: ReadonlyArray<Readonly<ReadonlySet<unknown>>>,
+  utils: U,
+  meta: M | undefined
+) {
+  const result = utils.mergeFunctions.mergeSets(values, utils, meta);
+
+  if (
+    result === actions.defaultMerge ||
+    (utils.useImplicitDefaultMerging &&
+      result === undefined &&
+      utils.mergeFunctions.mergeSets !== utils.defaultMergeFunctions.mergeSets)
+  ) {
+    return utils.defaultMergeFunctions.mergeSets(values);
+  }
+  return result;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Merge maps.
+ *
+ * @param values - The maps.
+ */
+function mergeMaps<
+  U extends DeepMergeMergeFunctionUtils<M, MM>,
+  M,
+  MM extends DeepMergeBuiltInMetaData
+>(
+  values: ReadonlyArray<Readonly<ReadonlyMap<unknown, unknown>>>,
+  utils: U,
+  meta: M | undefined
+) {
+  const result = utils.mergeFunctions.mergeMaps(values, utils, meta);
+
+  if (
+    result === actions.defaultMerge ||
+    (utils.useImplicitDefaultMerging &&
+      result === undefined &&
+      utils.mergeFunctions.mergeMaps !== utils.defaultMergeFunctions.mergeMaps)
+  ) {
+    return utils.defaultMergeFunctions.mergeMaps(values);
+  }
+  return result;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Merge other things.
+ *
+ * @param values - The other things.
+ */
+function mergeOthers<
+  U extends DeepMergeMergeFunctionUtils<M, MM>,
+  M,
+  MM extends DeepMergeBuiltInMetaData
+>(values: ReadonlyArray<unknown>, utils: U, meta: M | undefined) {
+  const result = utils.mergeFunctions.mergeOthers(values, utils, meta);
+
+  if (
+    result === actions.defaultMerge ||
+    (utils.useImplicitDefaultMerging &&
+      result === undefined &&
+      utils.mergeFunctions.mergeOthers !==
+        utils.defaultMergeFunctions.mergeOthers)
+  ) {
+    return utils.defaultMergeFunctions.mergeOthers(values);
+  }
+  return result;
+}
+
+/**
+ * The default strategy to merge records.
+ *
+ * @param values - The records.
+ */
+function defaultMergeRecords<
   Ts extends ReadonlyArray<Record<PropertyKey, unknown>>,
   U extends DeepMergeMergeFunctionUtils<M, MM>,
   MF extends DeepMergeMergeFunctionsURIs,
@@ -278,11 +428,17 @@ function mergeRecords<
       parents: values,
     } as unknown as MM);
 
-    result[key] = mergeUnknowns<ReadonlyArray<unknown>, U, MF, M, MM>(
+    const propertyResult = mergeUnknowns<ReadonlyArray<unknown>, U, MF, M, MM>(
       propValues,
       utils,
       updatedMeta
     );
+
+    if (propertyResult === actions.skip) {
+      continue;
+    }
+
+    result[key] = propertyResult;
   }
 
   /* eslint-enable functional/no-loop-statement, functional/no-conditional-statement */
@@ -291,11 +447,11 @@ function mergeRecords<
 }
 
 /**
- * Merge arrays.
+ * The default strategy to merge arrays.
  *
  * @param values - The arrays.
  */
-function mergeArrays<
+function defaultMergeArrays<
   Ts extends ReadonlyArray<ReadonlyArray<unknown>>,
   MF extends DeepMergeMergeFunctionsURIs,
   M
@@ -304,31 +460,29 @@ function mergeArrays<
 }
 
 /**
- * Merge sets.
+ * The default strategy to merge sets.
  *
  * @param values - The sets.
  */
-function mergeSets<Ts extends ReadonlyArray<Readonly<ReadonlySet<unknown>>>>(
-  values: Ts
-) {
+function defaultMergeSets<
+  Ts extends ReadonlyArray<Readonly<ReadonlySet<unknown>>>
+>(values: Ts) {
   return new Set(getIterableOfIterables(values)) as DeepMergeSetsDefaultHKT<Ts>;
 }
 
 /**
- * Merge maps.
+ * The default strategy to merge maps.
  *
  * @param values - The maps.
  */
-function mergeMaps<
+function defaultMergeMaps<
   Ts extends ReadonlyArray<Readonly<ReadonlyMap<unknown, unknown>>>
 >(values: Ts) {
   return new Map(getIterableOfIterables(values)) as DeepMergeMapsDefaultHKT<Ts>;
 }
 
 /**
- * Merge "other" things.
- *
- * @param values - The values.
+ * Get the last value in the given array.
  */
 function leaf<Ts extends ReadonlyArray<unknown>>(values: Ts) {
   return values[values.length - 1];
diff --git a/dist/deno/types/options.ts b/dist/deno/types/options.ts
index ded089f3..59602697 100644
--- a/dist/deno/types/options.ts
+++ b/dist/deno/types/options.ts
@@ -7,27 +7,25 @@ import type { DeepMergeBuiltInMetaData } from "./merging.ts";
  */
 export type DeepMergeOptions<
   M,
-  MM extends Record<PropertyKey, unknown> = DeepMergeBuiltInMetaData
-> = Partial<DeepMergeOptionsFull<M, MM & Partial<DeepMergeBuiltInMetaData>>>;
+  MM extends Readonly<Record<PropertyKey, unknown>> = DeepMergeBuiltInMetaData
+> = Partial<DeepMergeOptionsFull<M, MM & DeepMergeBuiltInMetaData>>;
 
-type MetaDataUpdater<M, MM extends Record<PropertyKey, unknown>> = (
+type MetaDataUpdater<M, MM extends DeepMergeBuiltInMetaData> = (
   previousMeta: M | undefined,
-  metaMeta: MM
+  metaMeta: Readonly<Partial<MM>>
 ) => M;
 
 /**
  * All the options the user can pass to customize deepmerge.
  */
-type DeepMergeOptionsFull<
-  M,
-  MM extends Record<PropertyKey, unknown>
-> = Readonly<{
+type DeepMergeOptionsFull<M, MM extends DeepMergeBuiltInMetaData> = Readonly<{
   mergeRecords: DeepMergeMergeFunctions<M, MM>["mergeRecords"] | false;
   mergeArrays: DeepMergeMergeFunctions<M, MM>["mergeArrays"] | false;
   mergeMaps: DeepMergeMergeFunctions<M, MM>["mergeMaps"] | false;
   mergeSets: DeepMergeMergeFunctions<M, MM>["mergeSets"] | false;
   mergeOthers: DeepMergeMergeFunctions<M, MM>["mergeOthers"];
   metaDataUpdater: MetaDataUpdater<M, MM>;
+  enableImplicitDefaultMerging: boolean;
 }>;
 
 /**
@@ -35,7 +33,7 @@ type DeepMergeOptionsFull<
  */
 type DeepMergeMergeFunctions<
   M,
-  MM extends Record<PropertyKey, unknown>
+  MM extends DeepMergeBuiltInMetaData
 > = Readonly<{
   mergeRecords: <
     Ts extends ReadonlyArray<Readonly<Record<PropertyKey, unknown>>>,
@@ -88,10 +86,15 @@ type DeepMergeMergeFunctions<
  */
 export type DeepMergeMergeFunctionUtils<
   M,
-  MM extends Record<PropertyKey, unknown>
+  MM extends DeepMergeBuiltInMetaData
 > = Readonly<{
   mergeFunctions: DeepMergeMergeFunctions<M, MM>;
   defaultMergeFunctions: DeepMergeMergeFunctionsDefaults;
   metaDataUpdater: MetaDataUpdater<M, MM>;
   deepmerge: <Ts extends ReadonlyArray<unknown>>(...values: Ts) => unknown;
+  useImplicitDefaultMerging: boolean;
+  actions: Readonly<{
+    defaultMerge: symbol;
+    skip: symbol;
+  }>;
 }>;
diff --git a/dist/node/index.cjs b/dist/node/index.cjs
index 4990ef8c..66b1a8f9 100644
--- a/dist/node/index.cjs
+++ b/dist/node/index.cjs
@@ -79,12 +79,19 @@ function getIterableOfIterables(iterables) {
 }
 
 const defaultMergeFunctions = {
-    mergeMaps,
-    mergeSets,
-    mergeArrays,
-    mergeRecords,
+    mergeMaps: defaultMergeMaps,
+    mergeSets: defaultMergeSets,
+    mergeArrays: defaultMergeArrays,
+    mergeRecords: defaultMergeRecords,
     mergeOthers: leaf,
 };
+/**
+ * Special values that tell deepmerge-ts to perform a certain action.
+ */
+const actions = {
+    defaultMerge: Symbol("deepmerge-ts: default merge"),
+    skip: Symbol("deepmerge-ts: skip"),
+};
 /**
  * The default function to update meta data.
  */
@@ -115,7 +122,7 @@ function deepmergeCustom(options, rootMetaData) {
  * @param options - The options the user specified
  */
 function getUtils(options, customizedDeepmerge) {
-    var _a;
+    var _a, _b;
     return {
         defaultMergeFunctions,
         mergeFunctions: {
@@ -126,6 +133,8 @@ function getUtils(options, customizedDeepmerge) {
         },
         metaDataUpdater: ((_a = options.metaDataUpdater) !== null && _a !== void 0 ? _a : defaultMetaDataUpdater),
         deepmerge: customizedDeepmerge,
+        useImplicitDefaultMerging: (_b = options.enableImplicitDefaultMerging) !== null && _b !== void 0 ? _b : false,
+        actions,
     };
 }
 /**
@@ -138,7 +147,7 @@ function mergeUnknowns(values, utils, meta) {
         return undefined;
     }
     if (values.length === 1) {
-        return utils.mergeFunctions.mergeOthers(values, utils, meta);
+        return mergeOthers(values, utils, meta);
     }
     const type = getObjectType(values[0]);
     // eslint-disable-next-line functional/no-conditional-statement -- add an early escape for better performance.
@@ -148,20 +157,20 @@ function mergeUnknowns(values, utils, meta) {
             if (getObjectType(values[mutableIndex]) === type) {
                 continue;
             }
-            return utils.mergeFunctions.mergeOthers(values, utils, meta);
+            return mergeOthers(values, utils, meta);
         }
     }
     switch (type) {
         case 1 /* RECORD */:
-            return utils.mergeFunctions.mergeRecords(values, utils, meta);
+            return mergeRecords(values, utils, meta);
         case 2 /* ARRAY */:
-            return utils.mergeFunctions.mergeArrays(values, utils, meta);
+            return mergeArrays(values, utils, meta);
         case 3 /* SET */:
-            return utils.mergeFunctions.mergeSets(values, utils, meta);
+            return mergeSets(values, utils, meta);
         case 4 /* MAP */:
-            return utils.mergeFunctions.mergeMaps(values, utils, meta);
+            return mergeMaps(values, utils, meta);
         default:
-            return utils.mergeFunctions.mergeOthers(values, utils, meta);
+            return mergeOthers(values, utils, meta);
     }
 }
 /**
@@ -170,6 +179,84 @@ function mergeUnknowns(values, utils, meta) {
  * @param values - The records.
  */
 function mergeRecords(values, utils, meta) {
+    const result = utils.mergeFunctions.mergeRecords(values, utils, meta);
+    if (result === actions.defaultMerge ||
+        (utils.useImplicitDefaultMerging &&
+            result === undefined &&
+            utils.mergeFunctions.mergeRecords !==
+                utils.defaultMergeFunctions.mergeRecords)) {
+        return utils.defaultMergeFunctions.mergeRecords(values, utils, meta);
+    }
+    return result;
+}
+/**
+ * Merge arrays.
+ *
+ * @param values - The arrays.
+ */
+function mergeArrays(values, utils, meta) {
+    const result = utils.mergeFunctions.mergeArrays(values, utils, meta);
+    if (result === actions.defaultMerge ||
+        (utils.useImplicitDefaultMerging &&
+            result === undefined &&
+            utils.mergeFunctions.mergeArrays !==
+                utils.defaultMergeFunctions.mergeArrays)) {
+        return utils.defaultMergeFunctions.mergeArrays(values);
+    }
+    return result;
+}
+/**
+ * Merge sets.
+ *
+ * @param values - The sets.
+ */
+function mergeSets(values, utils, meta) {
+    const result = utils.mergeFunctions.mergeSets(values, utils, meta);
+    if (result === actions.defaultMerge ||
+        (utils.useImplicitDefaultMerging &&
+            result === undefined &&
+            utils.mergeFunctions.mergeSets !== utils.defaultMergeFunctions.mergeSets)) {
+        return utils.defaultMergeFunctions.mergeSets(values);
+    }
+    return result;
+}
+/**
+ * Merge maps.
+ *
+ * @param values - The maps.
+ */
+function mergeMaps(values, utils, meta) {
+    const result = utils.mergeFunctions.mergeMaps(values, utils, meta);
+    if (result === actions.defaultMerge ||
+        (utils.useImplicitDefaultMerging &&
+            result === undefined &&
+            utils.mergeFunctions.mergeMaps !== utils.defaultMergeFunctions.mergeMaps)) {
+        return utils.defaultMergeFunctions.mergeMaps(values);
+    }
+    return result;
+}
+/**
+ * Merge other things.
+ *
+ * @param values - The other things.
+ */
+function mergeOthers(values, utils, meta) {
+    const result = utils.mergeFunctions.mergeOthers(values, utils, meta);
+    if (result === actions.defaultMerge ||
+        (utils.useImplicitDefaultMerging &&
+            result === undefined &&
+            utils.mergeFunctions.mergeOthers !==
+                utils.defaultMergeFunctions.mergeOthers)) {
+        return utils.defaultMergeFunctions.mergeOthers(values);
+    }
+    return result;
+}
+/**
+ * The default strategy to merge records.
+ *
+ * @param values - The records.
+ */
+function defaultMergeRecords(values, utils, meta) {
     const result = {};
     /* eslint-disable functional/no-loop-statement, functional/no-conditional-statement -- using a loop here is more performant. */
     for (const key of getKeys(values)) {
@@ -184,39 +271,41 @@ function mergeRecords(values, utils, meta) {
             key,
             parents: values,
         });
-        result[key] = mergeUnknowns(propValues, utils, updatedMeta);
+        const propertyResult = mergeUnknowns(propValues, utils, updatedMeta);
+        if (propertyResult === actions.skip) {
+            continue;
+        }
+        result[key] = propertyResult;
     }
     /* eslint-enable functional/no-loop-statement, functional/no-conditional-statement */
     return result;
 }
 /**
- * Merge arrays.
+ * The default strategy to merge arrays.
  *
  * @param values - The arrays.
  */
-function mergeArrays(values) {
+function defaultMergeArrays(values) {
     return values.flat();
 }
 /**
- * Merge sets.
+ * The default strategy to merge sets.
  *
  * @param values - The sets.
  */
-function mergeSets(values) {
+function defaultMergeSets(values) {
     return new Set(getIterableOfIterables(values));
 }
 /**
- * Merge maps.
+ * The default strategy to merge maps.
  *
  * @param values - The maps.
  */
-function mergeMaps(values) {
+function defaultMergeMaps(values) {
     return new Map(getIterableOfIterables(values));
 }
 /**
- * Merge "other" things.
- *
- * @param values - The values.
+ * Get the last value in the given array.
  */
 function leaf(values) {
     return values[values.length - 1];
diff --git a/dist/node/index.mjs b/dist/node/index.mjs
index 57a8ccc0..5a10d1d0 100644
--- a/dist/node/index.mjs
+++ b/dist/node/index.mjs
@@ -75,12 +75,19 @@ function getIterableOfIterables(iterables) {
 }
 
 const defaultMergeFunctions = {
-    mergeMaps,
-    mergeSets,
-    mergeArrays,
-    mergeRecords,
+    mergeMaps: defaultMergeMaps,
+    mergeSets: defaultMergeSets,
+    mergeArrays: defaultMergeArrays,
+    mergeRecords: defaultMergeRecords,
     mergeOthers: leaf,
 };
+/**
+ * Special values that tell deepmerge-ts to perform a certain action.
+ */
+const actions = {
+    defaultMerge: Symbol("deepmerge-ts: default merge"),
+    skip: Symbol("deepmerge-ts: skip"),
+};
 /**
  * The default function to update meta data.
  */
@@ -111,7 +118,7 @@ function deepmergeCustom(options, rootMetaData) {
  * @param options - The options the user specified
  */
 function getUtils(options, customizedDeepmerge) {
-    var _a;
+    var _a, _b;
     return {
         defaultMergeFunctions,
         mergeFunctions: {
@@ -122,6 +129,8 @@ function getUtils(options, customizedDeepmerge) {
         },
         metaDataUpdater: ((_a = options.metaDataUpdater) !== null && _a !== void 0 ? _a : defaultMetaDataUpdater),
         deepmerge: customizedDeepmerge,
+        useImplicitDefaultMerging: (_b = options.enableImplicitDefaultMerging) !== null && _b !== void 0 ? _b : false,
+        actions,
     };
 }
 /**
@@ -134,7 +143,7 @@ function mergeUnknowns(values, utils, meta) {
         return undefined;
     }
     if (values.length === 1) {
-        return utils.mergeFunctions.mergeOthers(values, utils, meta);
+        return mergeOthers(values, utils, meta);
     }
     const type = getObjectType(values[0]);
     // eslint-disable-next-line functional/no-conditional-statement -- add an early escape for better performance.
@@ -144,20 +153,20 @@ function mergeUnknowns(values, utils, meta) {
             if (getObjectType(values[mutableIndex]) === type) {
                 continue;
             }
-            return utils.mergeFunctions.mergeOthers(values, utils, meta);
+            return mergeOthers(values, utils, meta);
         }
     }
     switch (type) {
         case 1 /* RECORD */:
-            return utils.mergeFunctions.mergeRecords(values, utils, meta);
+            return mergeRecords(values, utils, meta);
         case 2 /* ARRAY */:
-            return utils.mergeFunctions.mergeArrays(values, utils, meta);
+            return mergeArrays(values, utils, meta);
         case 3 /* SET */:
-            return utils.mergeFunctions.mergeSets(values, utils, meta);
+            return mergeSets(values, utils, meta);
         case 4 /* MAP */:
-            return utils.mergeFunctions.mergeMaps(values, utils, meta);
+            return mergeMaps(values, utils, meta);
         default:
-            return utils.mergeFunctions.mergeOthers(values, utils, meta);
+            return mergeOthers(values, utils, meta);
     }
 }
 /**
@@ -166,6 +175,84 @@ function mergeUnknowns(values, utils, meta) {
  * @param values - The records.
  */
 function mergeRecords(values, utils, meta) {
+    const result = utils.mergeFunctions.mergeRecords(values, utils, meta);
+    if (result === actions.defaultMerge ||
+        (utils.useImplicitDefaultMerging &&
+            result === undefined &&
+            utils.mergeFunctions.mergeRecords !==
+                utils.defaultMergeFunctions.mergeRecords)) {
+        return utils.defaultMergeFunctions.mergeRecords(values, utils, meta);
+    }
+    return result;
+}
+/**
+ * Merge arrays.
+ *
+ * @param values - The arrays.
+ */
+function mergeArrays(values, utils, meta) {
+    const result = utils.mergeFunctions.mergeArrays(values, utils, meta);
+    if (result === actions.defaultMerge ||
+        (utils.useImplicitDefaultMerging &&
+            result === undefined &&
+            utils.mergeFunctions.mergeArrays !==
+                utils.defaultMergeFunctions.mergeArrays)) {
+        return utils.defaultMergeFunctions.mergeArrays(values);
+    }
+    return result;
+}
+/**
+ * Merge sets.
+ *
+ * @param values - The sets.
+ */
+function mergeSets(values, utils, meta) {
+    const result = utils.mergeFunctions.mergeSets(values, utils, meta);
+    if (result === actions.defaultMerge ||
+        (utils.useImplicitDefaultMerging &&
+            result === undefined &&
+            utils.mergeFunctions.mergeSets !== utils.defaultMergeFunctions.mergeSets)) {
+        return utils.defaultMergeFunctions.mergeSets(values);
+    }
+    return result;
+}
+/**
+ * Merge maps.
+ *
+ * @param values - The maps.
+ */
+function mergeMaps(values, utils, meta) {
+    const result = utils.mergeFunctions.mergeMaps(values, utils, meta);
+    if (result === actions.defaultMerge ||
+        (utils.useImplicitDefaultMerging &&
+            result === undefined &&
+            utils.mergeFunctions.mergeMaps !== utils.defaultMergeFunctions.mergeMaps)) {
+        return utils.defaultMergeFunctions.mergeMaps(values);
+    }
+    return result;
+}
+/**
+ * Merge other things.
+ *
+ * @param values - The other things.
+ */
+function mergeOthers(values, utils, meta) {
+    const result = utils.mergeFunctions.mergeOthers(values, utils, meta);
+    if (result === actions.defaultMerge ||
+        (utils.useImplicitDefaultMerging &&
+            result === undefined &&
+            utils.mergeFunctions.mergeOthers !==
+                utils.defaultMergeFunctions.mergeOthers)) {
+        return utils.defaultMergeFunctions.mergeOthers(values);
+    }
+    return result;
+}
+/**
+ * The default strategy to merge records.
+ *
+ * @param values - The records.
+ */
+function defaultMergeRecords(values, utils, meta) {
     const result = {};
     /* eslint-disable functional/no-loop-statement, functional/no-conditional-statement -- using a loop here is more performant. */
     for (const key of getKeys(values)) {
@@ -180,39 +267,41 @@ function mergeRecords(values, utils, meta) {
             key,
             parents: values,
         });
-        result[key] = mergeUnknowns(propValues, utils, updatedMeta);
+        const propertyResult = mergeUnknowns(propValues, utils, updatedMeta);
+        if (propertyResult === actions.skip) {
+            continue;
+        }
+        result[key] = propertyResult;
     }
     /* eslint-enable functional/no-loop-statement, functional/no-conditional-statement */
     return result;
 }
 /**
- * Merge arrays.
+ * The default strategy to merge arrays.
  *
  * @param values - The arrays.
  */
-function mergeArrays(values) {
+function defaultMergeArrays(values) {
     return values.flat();
 }
 /**
- * Merge sets.
+ * The default strategy to merge sets.
  *
  * @param values - The sets.
  */
-function mergeSets(values) {
+function defaultMergeSets(values) {
     return new Set(getIterableOfIterables(values));
 }
 /**
- * Merge maps.
+ * The default strategy to merge maps.
  *
  * @param values - The maps.
  */
-function mergeMaps(values) {
+function defaultMergeMaps(values) {
     return new Map(getIterableOfIterables(values));
 }
 /**
- * Merge "other" things.
- *
- * @param values - The values.
+ * Get the last value in the given array.
  */
 function leaf(values) {
     return values[values.length - 1];
diff --git a/dist/node/types/current/index.d.ts b/dist/node/types/current/index.d.ts
index dd3c7d5a..ef9b9f63 100644
--- a/dist/node/types/current/index.d.ts
+++ b/dist/node/types/current/index.d.ts
@@ -306,23 +306,24 @@ declare type GetDeepMergeMergeFunctionsURIs<PMF extends Partial<DeepMergeMergeFu
 /**
  * The options the user can pass to customize deepmerge.
  */
-declare type DeepMergeOptions<M, MM extends Record<PropertyKey, unknown> = DeepMergeBuiltInMetaData> = Partial<DeepMergeOptionsFull<M, MM & Partial<DeepMergeBuiltInMetaData>>>;
-declare type MetaDataUpdater<M, MM extends Record<PropertyKey, unknown>> = (previousMeta: M | undefined, metaMeta: MM) => M;
+declare type DeepMergeOptions<M, MM extends Readonly<Record<PropertyKey, unknown>> = DeepMergeBuiltInMetaData> = Partial<DeepMergeOptionsFull<M, MM & DeepMergeBuiltInMetaData>>;
+declare type MetaDataUpdater<M, MM extends DeepMergeBuiltInMetaData> = (previousMeta: M | undefined, metaMeta: Readonly<Partial<MM>>) => M;
 /**
  * All the options the user can pass to customize deepmerge.
  */
-declare type DeepMergeOptionsFull<M, MM extends Record<PropertyKey, unknown>> = Readonly<{
+declare type DeepMergeOptionsFull<M, MM extends DeepMergeBuiltInMetaData> = Readonly<{
     mergeRecords: DeepMergeMergeFunctions<M, MM>["mergeRecords"] | false;
     mergeArrays: DeepMergeMergeFunctions<M, MM>["mergeArrays"] | false;
     mergeMaps: DeepMergeMergeFunctions<M, MM>["mergeMaps"] | false;
     mergeSets: DeepMergeMergeFunctions<M, MM>["mergeSets"] | false;
     mergeOthers: DeepMergeMergeFunctions<M, MM>["mergeOthers"];
     metaDataUpdater: MetaDataUpdater<M, MM>;
+    enableImplicitDefaultMerging: boolean;
 }>;
 /**
  * All the merge functions that deepmerge uses.
  */
-declare type DeepMergeMergeFunctions<M, MM extends Record<PropertyKey, unknown>> = Readonly<{
+declare type DeepMergeMergeFunctions<M, MM extends DeepMergeBuiltInMetaData> = Readonly<{
     mergeRecords: <Ts extends ReadonlyArray<Readonly<Record<PropertyKey, unknown>>>, U extends DeepMergeMergeFunctionUtils<M, MM>>(records: Ts, utils: U, meta: M | undefined) => unknown;
     mergeArrays: <Ts extends ReadonlyArray<ReadonlyArray<unknown>>, U extends DeepMergeMergeFunctionUtils<M, MM>>(records: Ts, utils: U, meta: M | undefined) => unknown;
     mergeMaps: <Ts extends ReadonlyArray<Readonly<ReadonlyMap<unknown, unknown>>>, U extends DeepMergeMergeFunctionUtils<M, MM>>(records: Ts, utils: U, meta: M | undefined) => unknown;
@@ -332,18 +333,23 @@ declare type DeepMergeMergeFunctions<M, MM extends Record<PropertyKey, unknown>>
 /**
  * The utils provided to the merge functions.
  */
-declare type DeepMergeMergeFunctionUtils<M, MM extends Record<PropertyKey, unknown>> = Readonly<{
+declare type DeepMergeMergeFunctionUtils<M, MM extends DeepMergeBuiltInMetaData> = Readonly<{
     mergeFunctions: DeepMergeMergeFunctions<M, MM>;
     defaultMergeFunctions: DeepMergeMergeFunctionsDefaults;
     metaDataUpdater: MetaDataUpdater<M, MM>;
     deepmerge: <Ts extends ReadonlyArray<unknown>>(...values: Ts) => unknown;
+    useImplicitDefaultMerging: boolean;
+    actions: Readonly<{
+        defaultMerge: symbol;
+        skip: symbol;
+    }>;
 }>;
 
 declare const defaultMergeFunctions: {
-    readonly mergeMaps: typeof mergeMaps;
-    readonly mergeSets: typeof mergeSets;
-    readonly mergeArrays: typeof mergeArrays;
-    readonly mergeRecords: typeof mergeRecords;
+    readonly mergeMaps: typeof defaultMergeMaps;
+    readonly mergeSets: typeof defaultMergeSets;
+    readonly mergeArrays: typeof defaultMergeArrays;
+    readonly mergeRecords: typeof defaultMergeRecords;
     readonly mergeOthers: typeof leaf;
 };
 /**
@@ -368,35 +374,33 @@ declare function deepmergeCustom<PMF extends Partial<DeepMergeMergeFunctionsURIs
  * @param options - The options on how to customize the merge function.
  * @param rootMetaData - The meta data passed to the root items' being merged.
  */
-declare function deepmergeCustom<PMF extends Partial<DeepMergeMergeFunctionsURIs>, MetaData, MetaMetaData extends Readonly<Record<PropertyKey, unknown>> = DeepMergeBuiltInMetaData>(options: DeepMergeOptions<MetaData, MetaMetaData>, rootMetaData?: MetaData): <Ts extends ReadonlyArray<unknown>>(...objects: Ts) => DeepMergeHKT<Ts, GetDeepMergeMergeFunctionsURIs<PMF>, MetaData>;
+declare function deepmergeCustom<PMF extends Partial<DeepMergeMergeFunctionsURIs>, MetaData, MetaMetaData extends DeepMergeBuiltInMetaData = DeepMergeBuiltInMetaData>(options: DeepMergeOptions<MetaData, MetaMetaData>, rootMetaData?: MetaData): <Ts extends ReadonlyArray<unknown>>(...objects: Ts) => DeepMergeHKT<Ts, GetDeepMergeMergeFunctionsURIs<PMF>, MetaData>;
 /**
- * Merge records.
+ * The default strategy to merge records.
  *
  * @param values - The records.
  */
-declare function mergeRecords<Ts extends ReadonlyArray<Record<PropertyKey, unknown>>, U extends DeepMergeMergeFunctionUtils<M, MM>, MF extends DeepMergeMergeFunctionsURIs, M, MM extends DeepMergeBuiltInMetaData>(values: Ts, utils: U, meta: M | undefined): DeepMergeRecordsDefaultHKT<Ts, MF, M>;
+declare function defaultMergeRecords<Ts extends ReadonlyArray<Record<PropertyKey, unknown>>, U extends DeepMergeMergeFunctionUtils<M, MM>, MF extends DeepMergeMergeFunctionsURIs, M, MM extends DeepMergeBuiltInMetaData>(values: Ts, utils: U, meta: M | undefined): DeepMergeRecordsDefaultHKT<Ts, MF, M>;
 /**
- * Merge arrays.
+ * The default strategy to merge arrays.
  *
  * @param values - The arrays.
  */
-declare function mergeArrays<Ts extends ReadonlyArray<ReadonlyArray<unknown>>, MF extends DeepMergeMergeFunctionsURIs, M>(values: Ts): Ts extends readonly [infer Head, ...infer Rest] ? Head extends readonly unknown[] ? Rest extends readonly [readonly unknown[], ...(readonly unknown[])[]] ? Rest extends readonly [infer Head, ...infer Rest] ? Head extends readonly unknown[] ? Rest extends readonly [readonly unknown[], ...(readonly unknown[])[]] ? Rest extends readonly [infer Head, ...infer Rest] ? Head extends readonly unknown[] ? Rest extends readonly [readonly unknown[], ...(readonly unknown[])[]] ? Rest extends readonly [infer Head, ...infer Rest] ? Head extends readonly unknown[] ? Rest extends readonly [readonly unknown[], ...(readonly unknown[])[]] ? Rest extends readonly [infer Head, ...infer Rest] ? Head extends readonly unknown[] ? Rest extends readonly [readonly unknown[], ...(readonly unknown[])[]] ? Rest extends readonly [infer Head, ...infer Rest] ? Head extends readonly unknown[] ? Rest extends readonly [readonly unknown[], ...(readonly unknown[])[]] ? Rest extends readonly [infer Head, ...infer Rest] ? Head extends readonly unknown[] ? Rest extends readonly [readonly unknown[], ...(readonly unknown[])[]] ? Rest extends readonly [infer Head, ...infer Rest] ? Head extends readonly unknown[] ? Rest extends readonly [readonly unknown[], ...(readonly unknown[])[]] ? Rest extends readonly [infer Head, ...infer Rest] ? Head extends readonly unknown[] ? Rest extends readonly [readonly unknown[], ...(readonly unknown[])[]] ? Rest extends readonly [infer Head, ...infer Rest] ? Head extends readonly unknown[] ? Rest extends readonly [readonly unknown[], ...(readonly unknown[])[]] ? Rest extends readonly [infer Head, ...infer Rest] ? Head extends readonly unknown[] ? Rest extends readonly [readonly unknown[], ...(readonly unknown[])[]] ? any : [...Head, ...Head, ...Head, ...Head, ...Head, ...Head, ...Head, ...Head, ...Head, ...Head, ...Head] : never : never : [...Head, ...Head, ...Head, ...Head, ...Head, ...Head, ...Head, ...Head, ...Head, ...Head] : never : never : [...Head, ...Head, ...Head, ...Head, ...Head, ...Head, ...Head, ...Head, ...Head] : never : never : [...Head, ...Head, ...Head, ...Head, ...Head, ...Head, ...Head, ...Head] : never : never : [...Head, ...Head, ...Head, ...Head, ...Head, ...Head, ...Head] : never : never : [...Head, ...Head, ...Head, ...Head, ...Head, ...Head] : never : never : [...Head, ...Head, ...Head, ...Head, ...Head] : never : never : [...Head, ...Head, ...Head, ...Head] : never : never : [...Head, ...Head, ...Head] : never : never : [...Head, ...Head] : never : never : [...Head] : never : never;
+declare function defaultMergeArrays<Ts extends ReadonlyArray<ReadonlyArray<unknown>>, MF extends DeepMergeMergeFunctionsURIs, M>(values: Ts): Ts extends readonly [infer Head, ...infer Rest] ? Head extends readonly unknown[] ? Rest extends readonly [readonly unknown[], ...(readonly unknown[])[]] ? Rest extends readonly [infer Head, ...infer Rest] ? Head extends readonly unknown[] ? Rest extends readonly [readonly unknown[], ...(readonly unknown[])[]] ? Rest extends readonly [infer Head, ...infer Rest] ? Head extends readonly unknown[] ? Rest extends readonly [readonly unknown[], ...(readonly unknown[])[]] ? Rest extends readonly [infer Head, ...infer Rest] ? Head extends readonly unknown[] ? Rest extends readonly [readonly unknown[], ...(readonly unknown[])[]] ? Rest extends readonly [infer Head, ...infer Rest] ? Head extends readonly unknown[] ? Rest extends readonly [readonly unknown[], ...(readonly unknown[])[]] ? Rest extends readonly [infer Head, ...infer Rest] ? Head extends readonly unknown[] ? Rest extends readonly [readonly unknown[], ...(readonly unknown[])[]] ? Rest extends readonly [infer Head, ...infer Rest] ? Head extends readonly unknown[] ? Rest extends readonly [readonly unknown[], ...(readonly unknown[])[]] ? Rest extends readonly [infer Head, ...infer Rest] ? Head extends readonly unknown[] ? Rest extends readonly [readonly unknown[], ...(readonly unknown[])[]] ? Rest extends readonly [infer Head, ...infer Rest] ? Head extends readonly unknown[] ? Rest extends readonly [readonly unknown[], ...(readonly unknown[])[]] ? Rest extends readonly [infer Head, ...infer Rest] ? Head extends readonly unknown[] ? Rest extends readonly [readonly unknown[], ...(readonly unknown[])[]] ? Rest extends readonly [infer Head, ...infer Rest] ? Head extends readonly unknown[] ? Rest extends readonly [readonly unknown[], ...(readonly unknown[])[]] ? any : [...Head, ...Head, ...Head, ...Head, ...Head, ...Head, ...Head, ...Head, ...Head, ...Head, ...Head] : never : never : [...Head, ...Head, ...Head, ...Head, ...Head, ...Head, ...Head, ...Head, ...Head, ...Head] : never : never : [...Head, ...Head, ...Head, ...Head, ...Head, ...Head, ...Head, ...Head, ...Head] : never : never : [...Head, ...Head, ...Head, ...Head, ...Head, ...Head, ...Head, ...Head] : never : never : [...Head, ...Head, ...Head, ...Head, ...Head, ...Head, ...Head] : never : never : [...Head, ...Head, ...Head, ...Head, ...Head, ...Head] : never : never : [...Head, ...Head, ...Head, ...Head, ...Head] : never : never : [...Head, ...Head, ...Head, ...Head] : never : never : [...Head, ...Head, ...Head] : never : never : [...Head, ...Head] : never : never : [...Head] : never : never;
 /**
- * Merge sets.
+ * The default strategy to merge sets.
  *
  * @param values - The sets.
  */
-declare function mergeSets<Ts extends ReadonlyArray<Readonly<ReadonlySet<unknown>>>>(values: Ts): DeepMergeSetsDefaultHKT<Ts>;
+declare function defaultMergeSets<Ts extends ReadonlyArray<Readonly<ReadonlySet<unknown>>>>(values: Ts): DeepMergeSetsDefaultHKT<Ts>;
 /**
- * Merge maps.
+ * The default strategy to merge maps.
  *
  * @param values - The maps.
  */
-declare function mergeMaps<Ts extends ReadonlyArray<Readonly<ReadonlyMap<unknown, unknown>>>>(values: Ts): DeepMergeMapsDefaultHKT<Ts>;
+declare function defaultMergeMaps<Ts extends ReadonlyArray<Readonly<ReadonlyMap<unknown, unknown>>>>(values: Ts): DeepMergeMapsDefaultHKT<Ts>;
 /**
- * Merge "other" things.
- *
- * @param values - The values.
+ * Get the last value in the given array.
  */
 declare function leaf<Ts extends ReadonlyArray<unknown>>(values: Ts): unknown;