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
Arkansas Online, 19 Mar. 2026
Most of Amazon’s releases exist in a gray area — passable if Hollywood is willing to grade on a curve, but downright disastrous to anyone else.
—Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 17 Mar. 2026
Kevin Huynh, InStyle, 15 Mar. 2026
Online, true crime fanatics have parsed through information about the case — filling in the limited details with rumor, innuendo and sometimes downright conspiracy.
—James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for downright
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Adverb
Arkansas has become a leader in this anti-democracy celebration, with a Legislature, governor, attorney general, and state Supreme Court not only ready, willing, and able, but downright eager to enact, implement, defend, and uphold legislation designed to make a mockery of our official motto.
—Arkansas Online, 19 Mar. 2026
Most of Amazon’s releases exist in a gray area — passable if Hollywood is willing to grade on a curve, but downright disastrous to anyone else.
—Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 17 Mar. 2026
Adjective
Historically, celebs turned up in reserved and muted evening-wear, but as more eyes have tuned into the red carpet, the fashions have become grander, bolder, and even downright iconic.
—Kevin Huynh, InStyle, 15 Mar. 2026
Online, true crime fanatics have parsed through information about the case — filling in the limited details with rumor, innuendo and sometimes downright conspiracy.
—James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for downright
Cite this Entry
“Downright.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/downright. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
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
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