down·right
ˈdau̇n-ˌrīt 
1
archaic
: straight down
2
: absolutely sense 1a
downright handsome
downright mean
3
obsolete
: forthright
Synonyms of downright
Examples of downright in a Sentence
Adverb
The movie was downright stupid.
It's very difficult, if not downright impossible.
Adjective
rural folks are often known for their downright speech, as they are generally not ones to beat around the bush
that's a downright lie, and you know it
Recent Examples on the Web
Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 28 Nov. 2025
Despite its dachshund-like proportions and monstrous lump of an engine, the 2009 version of the roadster exhibits elegant road manners, with light steering and a ride that is downright luxurious when compared to hair-shirt roadsters like the lovable, but bone-rattling Morgan of the early 2000s.
—Robert Ross, Robb Report, 26 Nov. 2025
Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 27 Nov. 2025
Funding one would be a challenge, two a downright stretch.
—Greg Borowski, jsonline.com, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for downright
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.
Adverb
Temperatures will sink to downright frigid levels overnight into early Sunday morning.
—Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 28 Nov. 2025
Despite its dachshund-like proportions and monstrous lump of an engine, the 2009 version of the roadster exhibits elegant road manners, with light steering and a ride that is downright luxurious when compared to hair-shirt roadsters like the lovable, but bone-rattling Morgan of the early 2000s.
—Robert Ross, Robb Report, 26 Nov. 2025
Adjective
And it’s been replaced by the grim reality that this team is one bad-looking MRI away from downright irrelevance.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 27 Nov. 2025
Funding one would be a challenge, two a downright stretch.
—Greg Borowski, jsonline.com, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for downright
Cite this Entry
“Downright.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/downright. Accessed 3 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
downright
1 of 2 adverb
down·right
-ˌrīt
: in a complete and absolute manner
that was downright stupid
downright
2 of 2 adjective1
: absolute sense 3, utter
a downright lie
downrightly
adverb
downrightness
noun
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share