Synonyms of down-to-earth

down-to-earth

adjective

ˈdau̇n-tü-ˈərth 

1

as in humble

not having or showing any feelings of superiority, self-assertiveness, or showiness

we were all impressed by how down-to-earth the movie star turned out to be

Synonyms & Similar Words

• humble
• meek
• modest
• unassuming
• unaffected
• unpretentious
• timid
• naive
• demure
• simple
• lowly
• quiet
• shy
• passive
• deferential
• subdued
• unassertive
• compliant
• naïve
• submissive
• unaggressive
• acquiescent
• resigned
• unobtrusive
• ingenuous
• plain
• reserved
• diffident
• yielding
• bashful
• introverted
• sheepish
• shrinking
• retiring
• mousy
• self-effacing
• self-deprecating
• cringing
• aw-shucks
• self-deprecatory
• mousey
• cowering
• overmodest

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• arrogant
• superior
• egotistical
• pretentious
• pompous
• haughty
• supercilious
• confident
• aggressive
• high-and-mighty
• conceited
• assertive
• bumptious
• egotistic
• imperious
• presumptuous
• uppity
• bold
• cheeky
• highfalutin
• peremptory
• saucy
• audacious
• impudent
• brassy
• high-handed
• brash
• cocky
• forward
• uppish
• huffy
• high-hat
• lordly
• impertinent
• overweening
• smug
• chesty
• cocksure
• narcissistic
• egocentric
• overconfident
• hubristic
• presuming
• egoistic
• hoity-toity
• hifalutin
• self-assertive
• egoistical
• prideful
• boastful
• bombastic
• dominant
• huffish
• vain
• condescending
• self-confident
• fastuous
• disdainful
• self-asserting
• vainglorious
• toplofty
• flamboyant
• overbearing
• patronizing
• swaggering
• domineering
• showy
• toploftical
• outgoing
• self-centered
• self-important
• magisterial
• ostentatious
• uninhibited
• stuck-up
• self-satisfied
• dominating
• self-complacent
• extroverted
• self-contented
• self-engrossed
• self-congratulatory
• self-obsessed
• braggy
• self-conceited
• extraverted
• self-affected
• unreserved
• swelled-headed
• self-pleased
• immodest
• pontificating

2

as in pragmatic

willing to see things as they really are and deal with them sensibly

a down-to-earth guidance counselor who is frank in telling students which colleges they're likely to get into

Synonyms & Similar Words

• pragmatic
• realistic
• practical
• pragmatical
• matter-of-fact
• sensible
• earthy
• rational
• hardheaded
• cynical
• reasonable
• logical
• grounded
• sound
• utilitarian
• sober
• sane
• levelheaded
• commonsensical
• no-nonsense
• unsentimental
• unromantic
• skeptical
• bottom-line
• disillusioned
• pessimistic
• hard
• tough-minded
• hard-edged
• misanthropic
• idealless
• suspicious
• distrustful
• sobersided
• mistrustful
• philistine
• hard-boiled

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• idealistic
• unrealistic
• imaginative
• impractical
• visionary
• utopian
• romantic
• blue-sky
• fanciful
• fantastical
• fantastic
• sentimental
• optimistic
• cheerful
• theoretical
• unreasonable
• trusting
• irrational
• illogical
• insane
• theoretic
• trustful
• unsuspicious
• rose-colored
• half-baked

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of down-to-earth

After Benedict retired and Francis replaced him in 2013, the new pope spurned Castel Gandolfo and impressed the international media with his down-to-earth demeanor and thrifty trimmings. —Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 21 Apr. 2025

When Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio assumed the role of Pope Francis, his down-to-earth style captured the plaudits of Catholics and non-Catholics alike. —Maureen MacKey, FOXNews.com, 21 Apr. 2025

The comedian’s down-to-earth personality allowed Cherry to feel at ease on set. —Tereza Shkurtaj, People.com, 12 Apr. 2025

These down-to-earth, pragmatic planners enjoy doing ample research before visiting and seek out opportunities to explore nature. —Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Apr. 2025