down 1 of 6

Definition of downnext
1
as in downward
toward or in a lower position the stairs went down to the basement

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in away
from this or that place came down from New York for the weekend

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down

2 of 6

adjective

1
2
as in lowered
directed down a down escalator

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3
as in depressed
feeling unhappiness feeling a bit down

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4
5
6

down

3 of 6

noun (1)

as in fur
a soft airy substance or covering a comforter filled with goose down

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down

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noun (2)

1
as in accident
something (as a situation or event) that is depressing lately it's been one down after another in my life

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2
3
4
as in drop
the act or process of going to a lower level or altitude suffered with a psychological disorder in which she alternated between emotional ups and downs

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5

down

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noun (3)

down

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verb

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 down
Adverb
That’s with a conventional mortgage and 20% down. Jeff Lazerson, Oc Register, 26 May 2026 Footage shows that the barriers were down and the traffic lights were red. Adam England, PEOPLE, 26 May 2026
Adjective
Greenard wanted a new contract and had a down season in 2025. Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 19 May 2026 Not many players are in a mood to effusively applaud their fans during such a down streak. Greg Cote may 18, Miami Herald, 18 May 2026
Noun
Then Jake Diekman, Ken Giles and Jonathan Papelbon went nine-up, nine-down in the final three innings. Jayson Stark, New York Times, 29 May 2026 Kids jolted into action, performing feats of cardio that would have adults needing a lie-down. Veronique Greenwood, Time, 29 May 2026
Verb
The apparent interception failures underscored Ukraine’s chronic shortage of air defense missiles capable of downing ballistic missiles. Samya Kullab, Los Angeles Times, 24 May 2026 The attack and the apparent interception failures underscored Ukraine's chronic shortage of air defense missiles capable of downing ballistics. CBS News, 24 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for down
Adverb
  • Why Tomato Leaves Curl Leaves on a tomato plant that roll downward or curl inward indicate there may be a problem with the plant.
    Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 29 May 2026
  • From there, gravity drives the distribution downward through each layer of crops.
    Nia Bowers, USA Today, 28 May 2026
Adverb
  • The local hospital’s urgent care opened at eight and was about a half-hour walk away.
    Alexandra Oliva June 1, Literary Hub, 1 June 2026
  • Mall of the Emirates and Dubai Marina Mall are just a 10-minute cab ride away.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 June 2026
Adjective
  • The spillway gates lift up from the bottom, Jurado said, so if the up-current pressure is too low, salt water can flow to the west.
    Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 23 May 2026
  • The up-close encounter reported by Capt.
    Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 14 May 2026
Adjective
  • For video, the Avata 360 supports a standard color profile with the same naturally vibrant tones as its JPGs, or a 10-bit flat D-Log M profile with lowered contrast and saturation.
    Jim Fisher, PC Magazine, 21 Apr. 2026
  • Dethleffs had to be particularly creative with the toilet room, walling off a private space separate from the remainder of the open floor plan that fits in below the lowered roof.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 21 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Margaret Prior is almost thirty, unmarried, depressed, and living with her overbearing mother.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 May 2026
  • Morris is lonely and depressed.
    Jeanne Phillips, Mercury News, 25 May 2026
Adjective
  • The Ebola virus is spread through close contact with sick or deceased patients’ bodily fluids, such as sweat, blood, feces or vomit.
    Justin Kabumba, Los Angeles Times, 25 May 2026
  • While filming the 1993 comedy, Field found out that her father, who had been sick and was in a nursing home, was dying.
    Sharareh Drury, Entertainment Weekly, 25 May 2026
Adjective
  • On Wednesday afternoon, the Indiana Fever superstar took advantage of an off day to catch some MLB action at Oracle Park.
    Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 28 May 2026
  • The beauty mogul utilizes every weapon in her arsenal to ensure her off-duty looks make the highest impact possible.
    Kelsey Stiegman, InStyle, 28 May 2026
Adjective
  • Seb Stafford-Bloor’s excellent Transfer Tiers series is moving on to central defenders today.
    Phil Hay, New York Times, 28 May 2026
  • The right-shot defenseman has had an excellent tournament for Finland, who advanced to the semifinals with a win over Czechia.
    Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 28 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/down. Accessed 1 Jun. 2026.

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