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
Erica Sloan, SELF, 29 Jan. 2026
The crash occurred when a school bus carrying two students crossed the tracks and was struck by a train, pushing the bus nearly a quarter mile down the line.
—Brian New, CBS News, 28 Jan. 2026
Knowing what not to wash together can save plenty of headaches (and ruined garments and linens) down the line.
—Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 27 Jan. 2026
What kind of future updates are on the table down the line?
—David Jagneaux, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Jarry peaked in the early part of the decade and has held the job all down the line despite a heavy workload.
—Allan Mitchell, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2026
Members of the Solidaires Informatiques union based in the Paris HQ staged a half day strike on Thursday with the promise of more industrial action down the line.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 22 Jan. 2026
The climbers have to crowd into the tents that are there, which means that no one gets a proper rest, and that results, down the line, in more tragedy.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 22 Jan. 2026
Which of the losses could Texas come to regret the most down the line?
—David Eckert, Austin American Statesman, 21 Jan. 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
Below, experts share the behaviors to invest in during your 30s for the biggest return down the line.
—Erica Sloan, SELF, 29 Jan. 2026
The crash occurred when a school bus carrying two students crossed the tracks and was struck by a train, pushing the bus nearly a quarter mile down the line.
—Brian New, CBS News, 28 Jan. 2026
Knowing what not to wash together can save plenty of headaches (and ruined garments and linens) down the line.
—Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 27 Jan. 2026
What kind of future updates are on the table down the line?
—David Jagneaux, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Jarry peaked in the early part of the decade and has held the job all down the line despite a heavy workload.
—Allan Mitchell, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2026
Members of the Solidaires Informatiques union based in the Paris HQ staged a half day strike on Thursday with the promise of more industrial action down the line.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 22 Jan. 2026
The climbers have to crowd into the tents that are there, which means that no one gets a proper rest, and that results, down the line, in more tragedy.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 22 Jan. 2026
Which of the losses could Texas come to regret the most down the line?
—David Eckert, Austin American Statesman, 21 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for down-the-line
Adjective
-
Board member Allen Zeman, one of the staunchest advocates for closing schools, was not persuaded.—
Scott Travis,
Sun Sentinel,
22 Jan. 2026
-
Um, my mom was my staunchest defender.—
Outside Online,
Outside Online,
21 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
His madman approach seems to not be working, as the EU seems steadfast against him (while here at home, President Gordo’s madness is still very evident).—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
24 Jan. 2026
-
All the while we will be encouraged by our steadfast belief that the sacred garment that is our country needs us, its warp and weft threads.—
Scott Santarosa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
But beyond his professional accomplishments, Andy was a special person and a dear and loyal friend.—
Michael Schneider,
Variety,
7 Jan. 2026
-
The last time a president leaned on a loyal Fed chair to juice the economy with lower rates, the results were ugly.—
Rogé Karma,
The Atlantic,
7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Such should be true for tomorrow as well.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Jan. 2026
-
The app will bring to the fore true voices endorsed by the fanbases.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Despite Jones’ contract only being 50% guaranteed for next season, waiving him for a small amount of savings may not be in the Pacers best interest anyway.—
Tony East,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
-
Some look good on paper but would backfire in practice.—
J.D. Hayworth,
Boston Herald,
24 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Acclaimed for its dedication to long-form storytelling, early CGI VFX attempts, and faithful depiction of spaceflight physics, its online fanbase remains massive and the show is remembered as a space opera operating on a sophisticated level.—
Jeff Spry,
Space.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
The text is unchanged, and the design is faithful to the play’s setting – Grover’s Corners, New Hampshire, at the turn of the 20th century.—
The Week UK,
TheWeek,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Um, and then on the other side, I was raised, uh, by my mother and stepfather as a devout Jehovah's Witness.—
Outside Online,
Outside Online,
21 Jan. 2026
-
Products labeled as halal or kosher must actually be those things, otherwise companies can deceive devout Jewish or Muslim customers into violating their faith traditions.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Down-the-line.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/down-the-line. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
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