as in impromptu
made or done without previous thought or preparation
hoisting aloft the down and dirty sign that we had just made, we joined the protest
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 and dirty
The Wilson, North Carolina native can get as down and dirty as your regular country boy and can also fit in among the greats.
—
Mya Abraham, VIBE.com, 6 Aug. 2025
Mya Abraham, VIBE.com, 6 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for down and dirty
Adjective
-
The Eaton and Palisades fire diaspora has played out in a sunburst pattern of impromptu moves that likely will never be traced in full detail.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Feb. 2026
-
This isnt the first time law enforcement officials were involved in an impromptu heroic rescue.—
JT Moodee Lockman,
CBS News,
17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Blueprints were rarely part of the process, which tended to be more improvisational.—
Nina Metz,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Feb. 2026
-
During various interviews last week, Minter talked about wanting to make things easier on Jackson, playing on schedule more and relying less on the quarterback’s improvisational skills to bail out the Ravens.—
Jeff Zrebiec,
New York Times,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Yet at just over three hours, and without a classic plotline, Dao can also be a patience-tester for those unwilling to groove to its improvised storytelling.—
Jordan Mintzer,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Five minutes after half-time, Dominic Calvert-Lewin had the space to guide an improvised finish home with his chest, after Gruev was allowed far too much room to cross from the edge of the box.—
Paul Taylor,
New York Times,
7 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The Sardines, an ad hoc band led by music director Kurt Cowling on keyboards and featuring singer Leah Gawel, play music originally performed and mostly composed by '90s lounge revivalists Combustible Edison.—
Jim Higgins,
Journal Sentinel,
18 Mar. 2023
-
Ukraine has also called for the creation of a special United Nations tribunal, akin to ad hoc bodies set up to address war crimes in the former Yugoslavia and elsewhere.—
Laura King,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Mar. 2023
Cite this Entry
“Down and dirty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/down%20and%20dirty. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
