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
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
Arteta has used the analogy that the positional grouping of injuries is like ‘buying tickets’ for more fitness problems down the line, an image that has proven to be apt across almost every area of his squad.
—Art De Roché, New York Times, 28 Feb. 2026
The key driver of this growth in defense is drones, a technology that is rapidly advancing warfare and could have ripple effects on other commercial technologies down the line.
—Pia Singh, CNBC, 27 Feb. 2026
Democrats have largely seen the move as a pretext for bogus voter fraud claims down the line, as congressional Republicans tee up new barriers to voter registration through the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act.
—Los Angeles Times, 25 Feb. 2026
Clark’s salary for 2026 is not triggered until March 14, so an extension to push his money down the line is the likeliest scenario for him.
—Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Feb. 2026
Planting a tree too close to utility lines can lead to frequent pruning and even conflicts with the utility company down the line.
—Rae Ford, Martha Stewart, 25 Feb. 2026
If the jeans are sold to Croissant down the line, the company will give shoppers credit to use in its network, spurring more sales for the company’s partners.
—Evan Clark, Footwear News, 25 Feb. 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 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
Arteta has used the analogy that the positional grouping of injuries is like ‘buying tickets’ for more fitness problems down the line, an image that has proven to be apt across almost every area of his squad.
—Art De Roché, New York Times, 28 Feb. 2026
The key driver of this growth in defense is drones, a technology that is rapidly advancing warfare and could have ripple effects on other commercial technologies down the line.
—Pia Singh, CNBC, 27 Feb. 2026
Democrats have largely seen the move as a pretext for bogus voter fraud claims down the line, as congressional Republicans tee up new barriers to voter registration through the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act.
—Los Angeles Times, 25 Feb. 2026
Clark’s salary for 2026 is not triggered until March 14, so an extension to push his money down the line is the likeliest scenario for him.
—Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Feb. 2026
Planting a tree too close to utility lines can lead to frequent pruning and even conflicts with the utility company down the line.
—Rae Ford, Martha Stewart, 25 Feb. 2026
If the jeans are sold to Croissant down the line, the company will give shoppers credit to use in its network, spurring more sales for the company’s partners.
—Evan Clark, Footwear News, 25 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for down-the-line
Adjective
-
But as bad as the performance was, McAvoy remains a staunch believer in the team as the league goes into it’s most uncertain day of the season.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Mullin, a staunch Trump supporter, has no law enforcement experience.—
Oren Oppenheim,
ABC News,
5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Not all the time, not in a deeply debilitating way, but enough that his ongoing battle with right-knee tendinitis has become part of his tennis-playing identity — as much as his astute court acumen, steadfast competitiveness and Southern California charisma.—
Douglas Robson,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Guardians, Clase want answers about his salary Whereas Ortiz’s counsel asked for the trial to be pushed to a later date, Clase’s camp has been steadfast that the trial remain in May.—
Zack Meisel,
New York Times,
7 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
If a friend’s pattern isn’t fully loyal, wait to decide your response until tomorrow or after.—
Magi Helena,
Dallas Morning News,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Massie has a loyal contingent of followers in his district, with many in the crowd late last month at his 2026 campaign launch.—
Lucas Aulbach,
Louisville Courier Journal,
7 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
But the opposite was true Tuesday morning.—
Rachel Royster
Updated March 3,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Luneberg lens design Autonomous vehicle safety has mostly focused on onboard tech, but true reliability may require upgrading the roads themselves.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Tallen said his firm has a history of turning around distressed properties in good locations.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
7 Mar. 2026
-
His communication on the defensive end of the floor has been really good, too.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The film is faithful to the franchise’s customary angst, with riotous needle drops (and an obligatory new Nick Cave track) courtesy of Antony Genn and Martin Slattery.—
Miriam Balanescu,
IndieWire,
5 Mar. 2026
-
That makes sense, given how Paxton styled himself as the more MAGA-faithful option.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 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
-
Now Peterson is suing to assert his advisory privileges and regain access to the DAF, which was started by his late father, Gordon Peterson, a real estate investor and devout Christian, to support evangelical Christian causes.—
Hayley Cuccinello,
CNBC,
26 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Down-the-line.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/down-the-line. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
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