1
as in sloppy
lacking neatness in dress or person
a dowdy old matron
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in inappropriate
marked by an obvious lack of style or good taste
the dowdy, beat-up furniture at the cheap motel
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dowdy
The dowdy and shy Ursula is diabetic and has lost her eyesight in one eye.
—
Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 15 May 2025
These designs deliver on arch support without feeling dowdy.
—Malia Griggs, Glamour, 28 Apr. 2025
Meanwhile, the cutout neckline and darted bodice prevent it from being dowdy.
—Elise Taylor, Vogue, 21 Mar. 2025
Jane and Kit stand on either side, looking dowdy in black dresses and veils (not really an Irish thing).
—Cullen Murphy, airmail.news, 15 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dowdy
Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 15 May 2025
These designs deliver on arch support without feeling dowdy.
—Malia Griggs, Glamour, 28 Apr. 2025
Meanwhile, the cutout neckline and darted bodice prevent it from being dowdy.
—Elise Taylor, Vogue, 21 Mar. 2025
Jane and Kit stand on either side, looking dowdy in black dresses and veils (not really an Irish thing).
—Cullen Murphy, airmail.news, 15 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dowdy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dowdy
Adjective
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The three-part Season 5 premiere feels incredibly sloppy to me overall.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
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With that history and with Aaron Glenn trying to deliver a message just one game into his head coaching career, Gipson will serve as the example to the rest of the Jets' roster that sloppy turnovers will not be tolerated.—
Michael Hurley,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Some of my friends were pressured to send inappropriate pictures, contacted by strangers, and exposed to content way beyond our age.—
Annabelle Canela,
Parents,
12 Sep. 2025
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Businesses/nominees cannot obtain votes by any fraudulent or inappropriate means.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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While some of France’s important estates have sold out, diversified internationally, or even pursued potentially short-sighted revenue streams, Guigal has continued along its own path, quietly expanding their reach through a series of deliberate but seemingly unfashionable local acquisitions.—
Paul Caputo,
Forbes.com,
22 Aug. 2025
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Superman wraps these deeply unfashionable themes and aspirations in the pomp, spectacle, and humor that are Gunn’s superhero trademark (see: the Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy, easily among the best of Marvel Comics’ cinematic offerings).—
Derek Robertson,
The Washington Examiner,
8 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Sienna Miller has been spotted rocking long boho blonde mermaid waves, while Suki Waterhouse has tried it out on her signature shaggy layers and bangs.—
Jeanne Ballion,
Glamour,
11 Sep. 2025
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Nighy was even anxious seeing himself in character with a shaggy mane and an unusually long beard reflected back to his eyes on the & Sons set.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The concern expressed is that people are turning to AI for mental health advice and do not realize that (presumably) AI is unsuitable for that purpose.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
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The drastic drop in performance from the 2022 season points to the idea that the current generation of cars is unsuitable for the Briton.—
Saajan Jogia,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The state police photos show a typical off-campus residence – albeit a little on the unkempt side, with cases of alcohol littering the common areas, a folding table set up for beer pong, and empty cans on the floor.—
Michael Ruiz,
FOXNews.com,
23 Aug. 2025
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If Washington streets and public places are unkempt and unsafe, who will venture to go there?—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
19 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Hoka Women’s Kaha 2 GTX Waterproof Hiking Boots Hiking boots don’t need to be frumpy and unstylish—just look at this adorable pair that’s now up to 59 percent off just in time for the Fourth of July.—
Merrell Readman,
Travel + Leisure,
5 July 2025
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Only this time, Trump’s ambush was far more clearly choreographed, and thus somewhat less unstylish.—
Jonny Steinberg,
Time,
22 May 2025
Adjective
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The other near certainty in Lead Actor should be Gary Oldman, who anchors Slow Horses with a slovenly charisma that is, against all odds, deeply watchable.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
24 May 2025
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Related Stories The movie O’Neil has put together out of this footage, which premiered last night at Cannes, is by any real-world standard a slovenly and undisciplined piece of work.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
19 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dowdy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dowdy. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
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