Definition of down-to-earthnext
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2

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 down-to-earth In reality, Hotel La Palma’s position is more down-to-earth and worldly. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Sep. 2026 Marc Jacobs, who will remain as creative director, is a Capital F fashion designer and G-III is known more for its work with department stores that at least dabble with more down-to-earth prices. — Evan Clark, Footwear News, 2 Sep. 2026 An asphalt paving contractor, Dean had a down-to-earth sensibility that grounded Parton’s glamour, and opposites could not have attracted more. — Rachel Desantis, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026 What Onslaught does remember to develop are the good guys, far less colorful than the villains but, in their down-to-earth relatability, no less compelling. — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 31 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for down-to-earth
Recent Examples of Synonyms for down-to-earth
Adjective
  • Ironically, the British school uniform has entirely humble origins.
    — Eva Wolchover, Vanity Fair, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Leather was made to feel more delicate, while other humble materials were guided by leather’s permanence and authority.
    — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 21 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • What sort of pragmatic things can a caucus accomplish in this case?
    — Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 23 Sep. 2026
  • But few Fascists were ever formally prosecuted for their crimes, and a general amnesty (granted by Palmiro Togliatti, the pragmatic head of the Italian Communist Party) was announced in 1946.
    — Max Norman, Harpers Magazine, 22 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • The visitors were meek and the poorest performers of the four opponents, but how much of that is down to the way Leeds played?
    — Beren Cross, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Moore plays Mona Friedman, a meek housewife who hasn’t sung in front of anyone since church choir and is unexpectedly cast in a community-theater production — then transforms into a zealous method actor willing to wage war over a marginal role.
    — Clayton Davis, Variety, 6 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • In this view, aggressive development with minimal new constraints is presented as the only realistic strategy to prevent hostile foreign powers from dominating advanced AI.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2026
  • The most realistic outcome in Iran may be an unresolved stalemate.
    — NADIA SCHADLOW, Foreign Affairs, 18 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Different moments in an institution require different skills, and sometimes those skills may be low key, warranting a modest salary.
    — Tom Huddleston Jr., CNBC, 22 Sep. 2026
  • Anthropic and OpenAI argue that these new releases push the envelope at the frontier (albeit mostly in modest ways), while bringing costs substantially down.
    — Samuel Axon, ArsTechnica, 22 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Gemini May 21 – June 20 A creative idea may attract more enthusiasm than practical support.
    — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 25 Sep. 2026
  • In this final stretch, Ryan said, one of the biggest practical challenges has been competing with data centers for skilled union electricians, about 200 of whom are working on the site today.
    — Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 25 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Down-to-earth.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/down-to-earth. Accessed 26 Sep. 2026.

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