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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 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
Many people are looking for more reasons to put those phones down and spend time with other people in the real world. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 18 Sep. 2026 Johnson’s role in Verity is Lowen Ashleigh, a down-on-her-luck writer who moves into the house of a mysteriously ailing but much more successful novelist, Verity Crawford (Hathaway), to help finish a blockbuster series of thrillers. — Alessandra Codinha, Vogue, 18 Sep. 2026
Adjective
The same last season, even with Hernández having a down year. — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026 An investor sees the breadth divergence, watches the failed breakouts and notices the heavier down-volume, but then waits for a headline to confirm what the price data has already said. — Thomas Hartmann, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026
Noun
Instead, Republicans have framed a wind-down of the war as a matter of lowering prices or congressional oversight. — David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 20 Sep. 2026 Midway through the third quarter, Appalachian State (3-0) drove to the 1, was stopped on downs, then cashed in an interception when Singleton hit Chris Lofton with a 3-yard touchdown pass. — ABC News, 20 Sep. 2026
Verb
Russia’s Defense Ministry said its air defenses downed 71 Ukrainian drones overnight. — ABC News, 16 Sep. 2026 Two Italian Eurofighter Typhoons operating under NATO command scrambled overnight and shot down a drone over Lithuania, marking the first time a drone has been downed in the Baltic nation's airspace, officials said Tuesday. — Bradford Betz, FOXNews.com, 15 Sep. 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
  • Though capacity has remained fairly strong throughout its run, grosses have begun to trend downward over the past two years.
    — Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 10 Sep. 2026
  • Yet, since 1999, when the pest control programs started, state funding has trended downward, state figures show.
    — Lizzie Kane, Sacbee.com, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of downward
Adverb
  • My brother looks at the floor, mumbles something, and then shuffles away from the table.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2026
  • There are several options for dining out in the town, starting with the restaurants and cafes that flank the village green a two-minute walk away.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of away
Adjective
  • So Mannheim head coach and sports manager Dallas Eakins (previously the head coach of the Anaheim Ducks) had an up-close view as the summer went on.
    — Max Bultman, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026
  • Before a show begins, beauty editors and influencers may be invited backstage by the designer or one of the show’s beauty sponsors for an up-close look at the getting-ready process.
    — Amanda Le, InStyle, 9 Sep. 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
  • Instead, medical guidelines typically recommend testosterone for men who report symptoms — including low libido and depressed mood — and have two blood tests confirming low levels of the hormone.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Yet her awakening is dampened by her depressed father and cruel stepmother Abby (Rebecca Hall).
    — William Earl, Variety, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of depressed
Adjective
  • During the ride, Normandin-Parker's friend became sick and vomited in the car.
    — Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Humans should not touch or approach a dead or sick deer, and household animals should be kept away from carcasses, the center advises.
    — Gloria Casas, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of sick
Adjective
  • The New York Knicks star is launching a new firm with members of his family that will manage his off-court business while also representing other clients from the world of sports and business.
    — Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 16 Sep. 2026
  • Weiss’ overhaul of the show interrupted a critical off-season period when correspondents typically try to file and finish a segment for the fall.
    — Brian Steinberg, Variety, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of off
Adjective
  • Indeed, as much as Chicago has looked to past mayors as larger-than-life figures, the city rarely has accomplished anything great without the active involvement of its business community.
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 20 Sep. 2026
  • Evolution When asked about the greatest innovation of humans, people will often say language or fire.
    — Hannah Little, Scientific American, 20 Sep. 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 22 Sep. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about down

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