1
as in dropping
to strike (someone) so forcefully as to cause a fall
downed his opponent with one stunning blow
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in sipping
to take into the stomach through the mouth and throat
downing slices of pizza and guzzling bottles of soda
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in dismissing
to reject by or as if by a vote
all attempts to ban indoor smoking had been downed by the town council
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of downing
Russia's defense ministry reported downing 7,347 Ukrainian drones during March, the highest monthly total ever reported by Moscow and an average of 237 craft each day.
—
David Brennan, ABC News, 6 Apr. 2026
The Hawks once again took care of business on Friday night, downing the Nets 141-107 at Barclays Center.
—Lauren Williams, AJC.com, 4 Apr. 2026
Instead, your last week coincided with the publication of a New York Times profile of you railing at enemies while downing coffee at a burger bar in El Centro.
—Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2026
Some of its members have rallied under the screwy rap banner Chugg, which came from affiliates Cash300 and Onemillionkisses’ birthdays in 2023, when the crew was watching the YouTuber BadlandsChugs, who won a Guinness World Record for downing a liter of Mountain Dew in six seconds.
—Pitchfork, 20 Mar. 2026
And not just from downing nootropic stacks and Chinese peptides, the latest tech-world fad drugs.
—Joe Hagan, Vanity Fair, 18 Mar. 2026
Zelenskyy said Ukrainian drone expertise is valuable, and in exchange for help in downing Iranian drones, Ukraine is seeking funding and technology to increase its own drone production.
—Npr Staff, NPR, 15 Mar. 2026
But with so much to be gained from a higher Premier League finish, Howe cannot simply fixate upon downing Barcelona when the odds are against Newcastle.
—Chris Waugh, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2026
But viewers might not have to fill those three minutes staring at Lionel Messi downing a Gatorade.
—Tristan Bove, Fortune, 9 Mar. 2026
David Brennan, ABC News, 6 Apr. 2026
The Hawks once again took care of business on Friday night, downing the Nets 141-107 at Barclays Center.
—Lauren Williams, AJC.com, 4 Apr. 2026
Instead, your last week coincided with the publication of a New York Times profile of you railing at enemies while downing coffee at a burger bar in El Centro.
—Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2026
Some of its members have rallied under the screwy rap banner Chugg, which came from affiliates Cash300 and Onemillionkisses’ birthdays in 2023, when the crew was watching the YouTuber BadlandsChugs, who won a Guinness World Record for downing a liter of Mountain Dew in six seconds.
—Pitchfork, 20 Mar. 2026
And not just from downing nootropic stacks and Chinese peptides, the latest tech-world fad drugs.
—Joe Hagan, Vanity Fair, 18 Mar. 2026
Zelenskyy said Ukrainian drone expertise is valuable, and in exchange for help in downing Iranian drones, Ukraine is seeking funding and technology to increase its own drone production.
—Npr Staff, NPR, 15 Mar. 2026
But with so much to be gained from a higher Premier League finish, Howe cannot simply fixate upon downing Barcelona when the odds are against Newcastle.
—Chris Waugh, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2026
But viewers might not have to fill those three minutes staring at Lionel Messi downing a Gatorade.
—Tristan Bove, Fortune, 9 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for downing
Verb
-
Shortly after dropping his ailing bid for reelection, Adams embarked on a four-day trip to Albania, meeting with the country’s Prime Minister Edi Rama and members of his Cabinet, along with local business leaders.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
10 Apr. 2026
-
In addition, a helicopter shot in the teaser sweeps low over Oyster Bay, dropping Miranda and Andy at a sprawling waterfront compound that eagle-eyed viewers—or real estate insiders—may recognize as the former estate of Billy Joel.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The process of preparing the beverage, holding the warm cup in your hands and sipping from it can be soothing, Jansen said.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Dinner is preceded by a fireside drinks hour, which gives guests a chance to connect with each other and share highlights from the day’s game drives while sipping cocktails made with muddled herbs (grown on-site, of course).—
Alaina Chou,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In October, Superior Court Judge Judy Bae granted LCLJ’s motion, dismissing the city’s lawsuit and allowing LAFCO to move to the next steps in the process.—
Noah Lyons,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Apr. 2026
-
But dismissing it as fusty would be an unfortunate act of self-deprivation.—
Rachel Howard,
San Francisco Chronicle,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Shannon scored 29 points in the second half, hitting five of seven 3-point shots.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Dodgers hitting coach Robert Van Scoyoc said Pages has become one of the team’s most regular users of the Trajekt machine – and Skenes is a frequent visitor.—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In February, Weber voluntarily recalled 3 million brushes after at least 38 reports of small wire bristles breaking, including four reports of consumers swallowing bristles.—
Carolyn Gusoff,
CBS News,
14 Apr. 2026
-
The notion of the swaggering state swallowing a chunk of its resistant neighbor is completely far-fetched.—
Mark Z. Barabak,
Mercury News,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Suspect faces numerous charges Prosecutors say Greene fired multiple shots into a crowd of people, killing Kaori and injuring her 2-year-old brother.—
Christina Fan,
CBS News,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Russian strikes hit more than a half-dozen areas of Ukraine behind the front line from Tuesday to Wednesday, killing an 8-year-old boy in the central Cherkasy region and a woman who was in a kiosk near a bus stop that was hit in southern Zaporizhzhia, according to Zelenskyy and local officials.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The state of Maryland has reached an agreement with the operators of the cargo ship that crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore in 2024, toppling it and killing six, the state's attorney general said.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
10 Apr. 2026
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In one video, a horse tripped on a curb and fell over, toppling its rider before running off.—
Nick Sullivan
April 9,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Old Herald clippings from 1986 reported about homeowners toilets and sinks smelling like gas, a 3-year-old getting rashes and fevers from drinking the well water and fear of driers exploding.—
Ashley Miznazi,
Miami Herald,
9 Apr. 2026
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In another viral TikTok video from 2024, a Charlotte-area man was captured drinking a beer while sitting on a horse outside an ABC liquor store.—
Nick Sullivan
April 9,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Downing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downing. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.
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