low 1 of 3

adjective

ˈlō How to pronounce low (audio)
Definition of lownext
1
as in tropical
being near the equator we took a cruise to the low northern latitudes

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2
as in primitive
belonging to or characteristic of an early level of skill or development once considered the latest thing, electric typewriters now look like low technology indeed

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3
as in humble
belonging to the class of people of low social or economic rank people, both high and low, have been worshipping in this cathedral for centuries

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4
as in depressed
feeling unhappiness I was feeling low, and wanted to do something exciting to cheer myself up

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5
as in deep
having a low musical pitch or range the tuba's low notes made the floor vibrate

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6
as in short
having relatively little height the low hedge surrounding the garden wasn't meant to keep anything out, just to look pretty

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7
as in weak
lacking bodily strength the weeklong bout of chicken pox laid her low

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8
as in crass
lacking in refinement or good taste jokes about toilets are generally considered low humor

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9
as in dirty
not following or in accordance with standards of honor and decency low tactics of that sort will not be tolerated on this hockey team

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10
as in gentle
not loud in pitch or volume murmured her answer in a low voice

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11
as in reasonable
costing little gas is low right now, but prices will inevitably rise this summer, when people start driving more

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12
as in lower
of, relating to, or located at the bottom currently enjoys a low standing in the polls

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13
as in lacking
not coming up to an expected measure or meeting a particular need levels for school volunteers remain low, at least compared to what was expected

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14
as in fallen
no longer living thousands of the elderly were laid low by the deadly strain of flu

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low

2 of 3

noun

as in bay

Related Words

low

3 of 3

adverb

as in down

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Dissimilar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective low contrast with its synonyms?

The words base and vile are common synonyms of low. While all three words mean "deserving of contempt because of the absence of higher values," low may connote crafty cunning, vulgarity, or immorality and regularly implies an outraging of one's sense of decency or propriety.

refused to listen to such low talk

When could base be used to replace low?

While the synonyms base and low are close in meaning, base stresses the ignoble and may suggest cruelty, treachery, greed, or grossness.

base motives

When can vile be used instead of low?

Although the words vile and low have much in common, vile, the strongest of these words, tends to suggest disgusting depravity or filth.

a vile remark

How does the adjective low contrast with its synonyms?

The words base and vile are common synonyms of low. While all three words mean "deserving of contempt because of the absence of higher values," low may connote crafty cunning, vulgarity, or immorality and regularly implies an outraging of one's sense of decency or propriety.

refused to listen to such low talk

When could base be used to replace low?

While the synonyms base and low are close in meaning, base stresses the ignoble and may suggest cruelty, treachery, greed, or grossness.

base motives

When can vile be used instead of low?

Although the words vile and low have much in common, vile, the strongest of these words, tends to suggest disgusting depravity or filth.

a vile remark

How does the adjective low contrast with its synonyms?

The words base and vile are common synonyms of low. While all three words mean "deserving of contempt because of the absence of higher values," low may connote crafty cunning, vulgarity, or immorality and regularly implies an outraging of one's sense of decency or propriety.

refused to listen to such low talk

When could base be used to replace low?

While the synonyms base and low are close in meaning, base stresses the ignoble and may suggest cruelty, treachery, greed, or grossness.

base motives

When can vile be used instead of low?

Although the words vile and low have much in common, vile, the strongest of these words, tends to suggest disgusting depravity or filth.

a vile remark

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 low
Adjective
This means that the gas is not connected to the production of crude oil and is unaffected by decisions to raise or lower output according to, for example, OPEC quotas. —Kristian Coates Ulrichsen, The Conversation, 19 Mar. 2026 The company’s alarming financials did little to buoy waning investor enthusiasm, with shares continuing a months-long plunge that reached an all-time low last week. —Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 19 Mar. 2026
Noun
That chill down after a warm weekend in the 80s could bring overnight lows into the upper-50s or low 60s early in the work week, according to the weather service. —Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 11 Mar. 2026 From a trade-management perspective, this structure remains valid as long as InterDigital holds above $343, the low of the pattern’s right shoulder. —Frank Cappelleri, CNBC, 11 Mar. 2026
Adverb
Originally gaining popularity in the 1920s, the low-riding style is making its modern return. —Amanda Le, InStyle, 11 Mar. 2026 Remove low-hanging limbs of small trees, such as crabapples, redbuds, and crape myrtles, back to the main stem or trunk. —Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for low
Recent Examples of Synonyms for low
  1. tropical
  2. primitive
  3. humble
  4. depressed
  5. deep
  6. short
  7. weak
  8. crass
Adjective
  • The warming and cooling of tropical waters in the eastern Pacific Ocean is a cyclical and naturally occurring phenomenon that involves shifts in trade winds and changes in sea-surface temperatures.
    — Roberto Villalpando, Austin American Statesman, 13 Mar. 2026
  • This recipe gives a tropical punch to the buttery classic.
    — Nellah Bailey McGough, Southern Living, 13 Mar. 2026
Definition of tropical
Adjective
  • Take a boat to the primitive island of Palmarola, and swim near volcanic sea stacks.
    — Kristina Kasparian, Travel + Leisure, 15 Mar. 2026
  • In November 1985, the company launched Windows, a graphical operating environment layered on top of its operating system MS-DOS, which is primitive by modern standards, but radical for its time.
    — Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 13 Mar. 2026
Definition of primitive
Adjective
  • Kayla is a humble and gracious student who leads with quiet strength and a genuine love for dance.
    — Heide Janssen, Oc Register, 15 Mar. 2026
  • After pulling off another iconic play Saturday, Reaves had a more humble message.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2026
Definition of humble
Adjective
  • In the novel The Midnight Library, Matt Haig tells the story of Nora, a depressed woman beset by her life and its disappointments.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 Mar. 2026
  • The production also changes the seven scenes that make up the show in which classic child characters from Christmas specials and movies are seen as depressed middle-aged folks drinking away their holiday traumas in a small bar.
    — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 14 Mar. 2026
Definition of depressed
Adjective
  • Expect lively, clubby vibes as local DJs pump out deep house and dance to soul and techno, depending on the mood.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Mar. 2026
  • See latest conditions Rainfall during the critical germination months from September through November was well below normal, and the winter rain needed to support deep roots and healthy growth also fell short.
    — Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 20 Mar. 2026
Definition of deep
Adjective
  • The ceremony Sunday was a long-in-coming coronation for Anderson, a San Fernando Valley native who made his first short at age 18 and has been one of America's most lionized filmmakers for decades.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Mar. 2026
  • On Kalshi, the biggest upset of Oscar night came in the short film category, where a tie was given a 1% of chance of paying off.
    — Gene Maddaus, Variety, 16 Mar. 2026
Definition of short
Adjective
  • The United States is, to her knowledge, the only country maintaining such a ban for nearly a century via Section 307 of the 1930 Tariff Act—even in its weaker form with the domestic consumption loophole.
    — Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 13 Mar. 2026
  • Lessons from gold and small-caps The recent spike in oil prices has not resulted in spectacular gains for gold investors fueled by a weaker dollar, as was the case in 1973.
    — Joseph Wilkins, CNBC, 13 Mar. 2026
Definition of weak
Adjective
  • The beloved slapstick comedy is 85 minutes of pure entertainment, full of increasingly chaotic adventures and shockingly crass jokes that still produce guffaws decades later.
    — Rachel Simon, Vulture, 6 Mar. 2026
  • In a not crass way, no matter what your vice of choice is, someone who enables that behavior, even just by being there, is a really relatable idea.
    — Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 27 Feb. 2026
Definition of crass

Phrases Containing low

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lovingness
low
lowborn
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Cite this Entry

“Low.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/low. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on low

Nglish: Translation of low for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about low

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