1
as in abrupt
being or characterized by direct, brief, and potentially rude speech or manner
rural folks are often known for their downright speech, as they are generally not ones to beat around the bush
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in utter
having no exceptions or restrictions
that's a downright lie, and you know it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in absolutely
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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 downright
Julian Chokkattu, Wired News, 28 June 2025
Has the chemistry between Sydney and Will Poulter’s chef Luca become downright delicious?
—Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 27 June 2025
Chaunie Brusie, Parents, 2 June 2025
To give any movie the quality of a compelling doodle is hard enough, but to pull it off in animation, or in a film that incorporates animation (and thus requires tons of preparation and deliberation), is downright superhuman.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for downright
Adjective
But now, Dell's ambitious (and sometimes downright confusing) rebranding efforts have reached XPS, the beloved laptops that have been setting the standard for premium Windows laptops for many years.
—Julian Chokkattu, Wired News, 28 June 2025
Has the chemistry between Sydney and Will Poulter’s chef Luca become downright delicious?
—Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 27 June 2025
Adverb
It's taken me a full 39 years to recognize what a downright style icon my mother is.
—Chaunie Brusie, Parents, 2 June 2025
To give any movie the quality of a compelling doodle is hard enough, but to pull it off in animation, or in a film that incorporates animation (and thus requires tons of preparation and deliberation), is downright superhuman.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for downright
Recent Examples of Synonyms for downright
Adjective
-
However, her time in Fiji came to an abrupt end as shown during Episode 30, which aired on Sunday, July 6.—
Monica Mercuri,
Forbes.com,
7 July 2025
-
The third free practice at Silverstone saw two red flags in the final ten minutes, bringing the session to an abrupt halt.—
Saajan Jogia,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 July 2025
Adjective
-
The bagels were utter perfection to my mind, taste buds and insidees, and a spell of satisfaction and euphoria took over.—
Michelle Greenwald,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
-
The stage production was an utter spectacle, with beaming laser light shows and a douse of pyrotechnics.—
Olivia Petty,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 June 2025
Adverb
-
Don’t go to the extreme and declare that reversibility is absolutely impossible.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2025
-
Meg Waite Clayton: My sense of its timeliness has absolutely changed.—
Jane Ciabattari
July 1,
Literary Hub,
1 July 2025
Adjective
-
In other words — not to be too blunt about it — employers took responsibility for training their workers to work for them.—
Amy Lindgren,
Twin Cities,
5 July 2025
-
The man identified as Moore-Hodges walked away from the park around 3:50 a.m. According to the complaint, an autopsy on June 30 affirmed the victim died of multiple blunt force injuries to his head and neck.—
Ariela Lopez,
jsonline.com,
4 July 2025
Adjective
-
Some may prove useful in the long run and others illusory, but for now they are statistically swamped by the sheer amount of renewable power coming online.—
Bill McKibben,
New Yorker,
9 July 2025
-
The sheer variety of equipment, the pace of change and rising customer demands call for something better: a knowledge capture process that’s baked into the daily workflow.—
Thomas Cottereau,
Forbes.com,
9 July 2025
Adverb
-
When the cop refuses the bribe, Reacher saves the man’s life … by love-tapping him out cold before Angel can shoot him.—
Chris Klimek,
Vulture,
20 Feb. 2025
-
This time, the idea of a comeback stopped Canada cold.—
Josh Crutchmer,
Rolling Stone,
11 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
For that reason, cities with the shortest commute times contribute to top job market rankings in SmartAssets' study.—
Anne Marie D. Lee,
CBS News,
1 July 2025
-
Portland made headlines last week after deciding to part ways with president Inky Son less than three months after she was hired, underlining the risk of short launch timelines for newcomers.—
Eric Jackson,
Sportico.com,
1 July 2025
Adjective
-
Historical practice further refutes the idea that the president’s executive power is absolute.—
Steve Woolpert,
Mercury News,
4 July 2025
-
This Week on Max: PCMag's Picks Sinners (July 4) What better way to celebrate America's birthday than with one of the absolute best films of the year?—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
4 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Downright.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downright. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share