down 1 of 6

adverb

ˈdau̇n How to pronounce down (audio)
Definition of downnext
1
as in downward
toward or in a lower position the stairs went down to the basement

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Relevance

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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
as in up
brought or having come to an end eight down and two to go

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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
as in sick
temporarily suffering from a disorder of the body down with the flu

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5
as in off
not being in working order while my computer was down, I attended to some unfinished odds and ends lying about my cubicle

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6
as in excellent
slang of the very best kind a small jazz club that showcases some really down musicians

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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

4 of 6

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
as in grudge
chiefly British a lingering ill will towards a person for a real or imagined wrong I don't understand why she'd have such a down against me; we've never even spoken to each other!

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3
as in dislike
chiefly British a strong feeling of not liking or approving for years after the war her grandfather had an unshakable down on the Germans

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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
as in demise
a loss of status experienced the ups and downs of a career in showbiz

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down

5 of 6

noun (3)

as in prairie
usually downs plural a broad area of level or rolling treeless country hold a festival on the downs

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down

6 of 6

verb

1
as in to drop
to strike (someone) so forcefully as to cause a fall downed his opponent with one stunning blow

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2
as in to swallow
to take into the stomach through the mouth and throat downing slices of pizza and guzzling bottles of soda

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3
as in to dismiss
to reject by or as if by a vote all attempts to ban indoor smoking had been downed by the town council

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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
My sliders were down for chase, so there was no threat of anything outside of the fastball to be in-zone. — Charlotte Varnes, New York Times, 31 July 2026 The company said the sales decline was due to a decrease in series deliveries in television productions — revenue was down 32%, to $571 million. — Todd Spangler, Variety, 31 July 2026
Adjective
The markets on a big down day The Dow Industrials suffered its deepest drop of the year. — Jason Gewirtz, CNBC, 29 July 2026 The Celtics had one down year (25 wins in 2013-14) and then have made the playoffs ever since. — Zach Harper, New York Times, 28 July 2026
Noun
Most of the pressure the quarterbacks faced in the third-down drills and passing situations Thursday came from up the middle. — Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 6 Aug. 2026 Over the years, the relationship had its ups and downs, its lengthy silences. — Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2026
Verb
The incident prompted Dee and Dennis to pay more attention to their health, but opted for a shortcut by downing supplements and expecting magic to happen. — Dennis Perkins, Entertainment Weekly, 28 July 2026 Video from Menasha obtained by CNN shows homes missing parts of roofs, structures stripped of their exteriors amid piles of debris, downed power poles and uprooted trees. — Dakota Smith, CNN Money, 27 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for down
  1. downward
  2. away
  3. up
  4. lowered
  5. depressed
  6. sick
  7. off
  8. excellent
Adverb
  • The leading seasonal hurricane forecaster, Phil Klotzbach at Colorado State University, has steadily been revising his outlook downward.
    — Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 5 Aug. 2026
  • But their use has been limited because their exhaust vents aim heat downward, posing a risk to the South Lawn grass.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of downward
Adverb
  • Set on a leafy half acre of land, this lovely cottage is less than two miles away from the beach and offers a scenic back deck complete with chaise lounges, an outdoor shower, and a dining table for six.
    — Elise Taylor, Vogue, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Video that the teen lobster diver's family shared with ABC Miami affiliate WSVN allegedly shows Simpson swimming away from the third lung and back to the Contender vessel as people on Del Sol's boat began yelling and cursing at him.
    — Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of away
Adjective
  • Here, your favorite chart-toppers reveal the meaning behind their new project, break down their songwriting process, and offer an up-close glimpse at life backstage.
    — Christina Perrier, InStyle, 30 July 2026
  • Visitors can spot brown bears, moose, muskoxen, and wood bison before taking a cruise for an up-close look at Portage Glacier, one of Alaska’s most accessible glaciers.
    — Abby Price, Travel + Leisure, 30 July 2026
Definition of up
Adjective
  • That refusal to accept lowered expectations carried him to being Chairman of Nike’s Jordan Brand and leading the Portland Trail Blazers.
    — Laurel Donnellan, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
  • The beat comes on lowered expectations, after the company gave disappointing guidance in February that fell short of analyst estimates.
    — Samantha Subin, CNBC, 2 June 2026
Definition of lowered
Adjective
  • When Magic Lotus becomes secretly depressed after another death in the ring at his hands, Tongchai supports his exile into nature from the boxing world.
    — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 29 July 2026
  • For those feeling exhausted, depressed or burned out, or as if one more issue or crisis will be tomorrow’s tipping point, now is the time to act.
    — Dr. Talia Varley, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
Definition of depressed
Adjective
  • Veterinarians for famed Big Bear bald eagle Jackie, who was found sick and on the ground weeks ago, still don’t know what’s wrong with her.
    — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 2 Aug. 2026
  • What stays with me is not just what happened when my father got sick, but what didn’t happen before.
    — Guy Leitersdorf, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
Definition of sick
Adjective
  • As a state with an off-year major state election cycle, Virginia’s 2026 elections have been heavily dominated by congressional races.
    — Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 1 Aug. 2026
  • To answer your question, there was a time many decades ago when club teams versus national teams was a common off-season exhibition match.
    — Torrey Hart, New York Times, 31 July 2026
Definition of off
Adjective
  • The neighborhood/area Just across the train tracks is Vesterbro with an excellent range of independent shops and restaurants, not least in Kødbyen, the Meat Packing district.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Aug. 2026
  • As for dining options, Cafe Genevieve serves an excellent breakfast and brunch, and Million Dollar Cowboy Bar draws crowds for a taste of Western-style eats like bison burgers and elk sliders.
    — Cu Fleshman, Travel + Leisure, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of excellent

Phrases Containing down

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dowers
down
down and dirty
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Cite this Entry

“Down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/down. Accessed 7 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on down

Nglish: Translation of down for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about down

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