as in staunch
firm in one's allegiance to someone or something
a down-the-line supporter of the Republican Party
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in down to the ground
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of down-the-line
Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 7 Nov. 2025
Alcaraz toyed with an unconventional wide position on serve, which opened up an even more extreme angle for him; Sinner began slinging those returns down-the-line.
—Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2025
With Sinner serving at 2-9, Alcaraz ripped a down-the-line forehand winner to capture the match and fell to the court on his back.
—Adam Zagoria, Forbes.com, 8 June 2025
Francisco Lindor followed with a down-the-line single to bring another run for the Mets (38-22).
—Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2025
Any preconceived idea that the 50-year-old might be a cold, straight-down-the-line manager who plays it safe has been dispelled.
—Matt Woosnam, The Athletic, 18 Feb. 2025
Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 12 Mar. 2026
Gonzales hustled down the line on the play.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 10 Mar. 2026
Such disputes pose a risk of liability and potential lawsuits down the line.
—Adam Crafton, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2026
Speculation had swirled in some circles that if Netflix, which had an agreement last December with the WBD board, hit the rocks in terms of regulation, Paramount could have swooped in down the line and snagged WBD at fire-sale prices.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 9 Mar. 2026
This helps your child learn to soothe themselves to sleep and prevents bedtime problems down the line.
—Barrie Gillies, Parents, 9 Mar. 2026
Many homeowners assume standard drywall or low-grade waterproofing are good enough, but cutting small corners here can mean big trouble down the line.
—Lee Wallender, The Spruce, 9 Mar. 2026
There’s apparently a new Jawa, a 1000 Twin with a 1,000cc twin-cylinder engine layout that might accompany it down the line.
—New Atlas, 4 Mar. 2026
Friends Keep Secrets will have more guests down the line, including but not limited to Ed Sheeran, Lizzo, and Paul Rudd.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 3 Mar. 2026
Adjective
Sadly, there was no space for her in either the main categories or the down-the-line spots.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 7 Nov. 2025
Alcaraz toyed with an unconventional wide position on serve, which opened up an even more extreme angle for him; Sinner began slinging those returns down-the-line.
—Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2025
With Sinner serving at 2-9, Alcaraz ripped a down-the-line forehand winner to capture the match and fell to the court on his back.
—Adam Zagoria, Forbes.com, 8 June 2025
Francisco Lindor followed with a down-the-line single to bring another run for the Mets (38-22).
—Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2025
Any preconceived idea that the 50-year-old might be a cold, straight-down-the-line manager who plays it safe has been dispelled.
—Matt Woosnam, The Athletic, 18 Feb. 2025
Adverb
There’s a chance a tri-motor powertrain will also be made available down the line.
—Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 12 Mar. 2026
Gonzales hustled down the line on the play.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 10 Mar. 2026
Such disputes pose a risk of liability and potential lawsuits down the line.
—Adam Crafton, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2026
Speculation had swirled in some circles that if Netflix, which had an agreement last December with the WBD board, hit the rocks in terms of regulation, Paramount could have swooped in down the line and snagged WBD at fire-sale prices.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 9 Mar. 2026
This helps your child learn to soothe themselves to sleep and prevents bedtime problems down the line.
—Barrie Gillies, Parents, 9 Mar. 2026
Many homeowners assume standard drywall or low-grade waterproofing are good enough, but cutting small corners here can mean big trouble down the line.
—Lee Wallender, The Spruce, 9 Mar. 2026
There’s apparently a new Jawa, a 1000 Twin with a 1,000cc twin-cylinder engine layout that might accompany it down the line.
—New Atlas, 4 Mar. 2026
Friends Keep Secrets will have more guests down the line, including but not limited to Ed Sheeran, Lizzo, and Paul Rudd.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 3 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for down-the-line
Adjective
-
Wendell Phillips, a onetime abolitionist ally, became a staunch opponent of Stanton’s women’s-suffrage push.—
Moira Donegan,
New Yorker,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Greene, the polarizing former House representative from Georgia's 14th congressional district, was once a staunch Trump ally.—
Irene Wright,
USA Today,
10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The island is experiencing its worst days since the 1991 fall of the Soviet Union, Havana’s steadfast patron.—
Kate Linthicum,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Prince William and Princess Kate aren't the only British royals with steadfast food preferences.—
Chanel Vargas,
InStyle,
12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
But Steve Vai and Joe Satriani continue to draw loyal audiences craving their deep, roller coaster-like dives into unbridled six-string virtuosity.—
George Varga,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Being a Payton Guy has extended NFL lives and poured millions upon millions of dollars into loyal bank accounts.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
15 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
How to Spot the Next One Before sharing a story that sounds too absurd to be true, check the source page.—
Hanna Wickes,
Miami Herald,
17 Mar. 2026
-
That’s particularly true in the world of elite prep schools, which sometimes cost nearly $100,000 per year and often give athletic aid.—
Scott Soshnick,
Sportico.com,
17 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The worship of greatness leads, at best, to disillusionment and, at worst, to the insanity unleashed by the Wagnerian Hitler.—
Alex Ross,
New Yorker,
14 Mar. 2026
-
The service Always friendly, and a good guest-to-staff ratio means help is never far away.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
14 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Greg Long was similarly loathed and demonized by the Bigfoot faithful after publication of his 2004 book, The Making of Bigfoot, which concluded that Patterson was a con artist and his film a hoax.—
Sheri Linden,
HollywoodReporter,
12 Mar. 2026
-
The multilayered Carmela managed the Soprano home, raising daughter Meadow and son AJ (Jamie Lynn Sigler and Robert Iler, respectively), while also remaining faithful to Tony despite his nefarious dealings in the mafia.—
Marina Watts,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Most everyone in attendance at 2220 seemed to be there to meet or support one of their favorite artists, one of the devout purists of our time who manages to remain that without getting smug, lazy or feral, all common pitfalls.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Kornet is a devout Catholic and has served as a member of the Knights of Columbus, a Catholic fraternal organization.—
Jared Weiss,
New York Times,
2 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Down-the-line.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/down-the-line. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.
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