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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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 great
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
In 2025, there were 630 units of shelter and transitional housing for families in the county, down from 769 the year before, according to the most recent federal data. — Nicole Santa Cruz, ProPublica, 9 Oct. 2026 A couple of doors down is another world-class vintage store, Meow. — Lisa Boone, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026
Adjective
Mayor Quinton Lucas also pointed to the Royals’ attendance numbers during down years, where the team averaged around 15,000 fans over 81 games at Kauffman Stadium. — Dylan Lysen, Kansas City Star, 6 Oct. 2026 While stocks ended Thursday’s session in the green, all three indexes are heading into this morning’s report on track for a down week. — Alex Harring, CNBC, 2 Oct. 2026
Noun
The gamble failed, as Indiana forced an incompletion and took over on downs, despite Nebraska still having two timeouts and the two-minute warning. — Ryan Canfield Outkick, FOXNews.com, 10 Oct. 2026 Grace opted for a white pair, which added to the played-down, pastel color scheme of the rest of her look. — Erin Wisti, Footwear News, 10 Oct. 2026
Verb
In the fourth quarter, CU allowed a punt to bounce all the way down to 2-yard line, where it was downed by Texas Tech. — Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 9 Oct. 2026 With the Chiefs up three late in the game, Araiza came up big again with a punt downed at the 1-yard line. — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 8 Oct. 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. great
Adverb
  • With the onset of the autumn agricultural harvest and winter heating seasons, domestic distillate inventories, including diesel, continue to trend downward.
    — , CNBC, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Such strength would help to support stock prices when the other big lever that affects stock prices, interest rates, is pushing downward.
    — Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of downward
Adverb
  • They’re drawn by its floor-to-ceiling windows and Hudson River views, plus the porte-cochere that allows discreet access to $500,000 parking spaces away from paparazzi and nosy neighbors.
    — Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Some donors came away questioning spending decisions, particularly on pricey consultants and lavish events.
    — Luke Fountain, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of away
Adjective
  • The annual showcase will take place in Manhattan’s Gotham Hall from October 16 to 18, giving collectors an up-close look at some of the year’s most exciting releases.
    — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Ergo, Roger Vivier invited friends of the maison to get an up-close look at how the past informs the present while unveiling the Spring 2027 collection.
    — Vogue, Vogue, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of up
Adjective
  • There are predetermined dates for lowered flags each year, and the governor’s office announces any additional dates necessary.
    — Tania Azhang, Sacbee.com, 28 Aug. 2026
  • This isn’t the first study to link acupuncture with lowered symptoms of depression.
    — Korin Miller, Allure, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of lowered
Adjective
  • Republicans fear depressed turnout among their supporters in Texas could jeopardize their control of the Senate seat.
    — Matthew Choi, Washington Post, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Simply put, a rain garden is a depressed bed planted with native perennials and shrubs selected for their high-water tolerance.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of depressed
Adjective
  • Along with missing guard Dru Smith (right calf strain) and two-way contract forward Keshad Johnson (right hamstring strain) for the second straight exhibition game, the Heat was also without guard Pelle Larsson (sick) on Thursday.
    — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Two types of influenza — A and B — are responsible for the seasonal flu epidemics that make people sick, according to the California Department of Public Health.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of sick
Adjective
  • Mix these finds into your work wardrobe or your off-duty ensembles—they’re versatile enough to do it all, and the festive palette is worth drooling over.
    — Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Caminero is one of those players who, even amid a 162-game season, spends his off days watching baseball.
    — Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of off
Adjective
  • Maines’ voice sounds great, and Maguire’s grand viola break after the bridge adds requisite drama.
    — Shaad D’Souza, Pitchfork, 11 Oct. 2026
  • The defender made a great play, but Manning made a bad throw.
    — Mac Engel October 10, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of great

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 14 Oct. 2026.

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