DOWDY Synonyms: 158 Similar and Opposite Words

dowdy

adjective

ˈdau̇-dē

Definition of dowdy

as in sloppy

lacking neatness in dress or person a dowdy old matron

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 dowdy Bonus points for Sarah Sherman’s dowdy character, who accidentally got on the Epstein list. — Rima Parikh, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2025 Once known for dowdy packaging and perhaps questionable tastes or ingredients, the products now compete with national name brands, sparking a shakeup among major food companies. — Jordan Valinsky, CNN Money, 24 Sep. 2025 Cher’s memorable transformation from a dowdy Italian widow residing in Brooklyn, NY, stole the movie. — Tonya Blazio-Licorish, Footwear News, 13 Feb. 2026 Memorably dowdy fashion notwithstanding, the juicy role — part Nurse Ratched, part Jack Torrance — launched Bates into the Hollywood ether following years of false starts. — Darren Franich, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dowdy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dowdy

Adjective

England looked disjointed and sloppy for much of the first half, while Congo was bright and creative with the ball and held England at bay defensively.

— Bailey Johnson, Washington Post, 1 July 2026
The regulars were middle-aged men who routinely drank five or six cocktails after work and were only rarely sloppy.

— Meghan O’Gieblyn, Harpers Magazine, 30 June 2026

Definition of sloppy

Adjective

In some countries, such as Japan, tipping can even be viewed as awkward, inappropriate, and unnecessary as patrons eat, pay the bill, and simply leave.

— Doug Melville, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026
Some commenters felt the post was cringeworthy and inappropriate.

— Richard Johnson, New York Daily News, 5 July 2026

Definition of inappropriate

Adjective

Participants with wet but non-wrinkled fingers required significantly more force to maintain the same hold; their hands were working harder to do less.

— Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026
Yellowing leaves can indicate overwatering, while wrinkled leaves can point to underwatering.

— Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 8 Feb. 2026

Definition of wrinkled

Adjective

In a country where air conditioning is both uncommon and unfashionable, many have sought relief by swimming, despite the danger involved.

— Frank Landymore, Futurism, 24 June 2026
More to Explore Many of the human props—canes, top hats, desks—used in primate taxidermy became unfashionable in the first half of the nineteenth century, but there were still throwbacks.

— Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 18 May 2026

Definition of unfashionable

Adjective

Two years later, Swift pushed the bounds of her beauty yet again, pairing a white, deep V-cut gown with a shaggy bob.

— Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 2 July 2026
In most respects the man was unremarkable, just another shaggy head of hair in a sea of skater-boy business casual.

— Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 30 June 2026

Definition of shaggy

Adjective

Drivers should avoid off-road detours or unpaved shortcuts suggested by map apps, as those routes can be dangerous and unsuitable for passenger and commercial vehicles, state officials said.

— Katie Langford, Denver Post, 4 July 2026
The dogs were found to be living in unsuitable conditions, while the puppies were suffering from malnutrition, and a number of the dogs had additional medical conditions as well.

— Adam England, PEOPLE, 29 June 2026

Definition of unsuitable

Adjective

In 2024, Air Canada's AI agent gave a passenger incorrect information about bereavement fares.

— Stu Sjouwerman, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026
Even though talks with the Boston Red Sox at last year’s deadline never got close, the confusion provided by an incorrect tweet announcing Ryan’s trade to New England put the pitcher at the top of every trade list before the season even began.

— Dan Hayes, New York Times, 6 July 2026

Definition of incorrect

Browse Nearby Words

dowdily

dowdy

dower

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Style

“Dowdy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dowdy. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of dowdy

adjective

Example Sentences

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