Definition of down-to-earthnext
1
as in humble
not having or showing any feelings of superiority, self-assertiveness, or showiness we were all impressed by how down-to-earth the movie star turned out to be

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2

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-to-earth King Harald will be remembered as the most down-to-earth and inclusive monarch in Europe. Stephanie Petit, PEOPLE, 28 Aug. 2026 Gingham fabrics, especially for bedspreads or upholstered furniture, make a room feel more down-to-earth. Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Aug. 2026 Norton isn’t the only star who’s claimed that Swift and Kelce’s wedding was unexpectedly down-to-earth. Lara Walsh, InStyle, 12 Aug. 2026 But the concerns of Eternals are also loftier and more cosmic than Marvel’s typically down-to-earth storytelling. Ew Staff, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for down-to-earth
Recent Examples of Synonyms for down-to-earth
Adjective
  • While the wider world has in recent decades fallen for the archipelago’s humble street food, there’s a rising number of contemporary chefs who are elevating the national cuisine on the global stage.
    Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2026
  • In those interviews, the brothers are charmingly self-effacing and humble, a far cry from the braggadocious, aggressive posturing that defined their early celebrity.
    Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • The former are dreamy, romantic; the latter, hard-nosed, pragmatic.
    Merve Emre, New Yorker, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Fischer-Rosenthal takes a pragmatic view on whether set-jetting will permanently ruin these enclaves, pointing out that ultra-luxury pricing acts as a natural barrier to entry.
    Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 1 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Moore plays Mona Friedman, a meek housewife who hasn’t sung in front of anyone since church choir and is unexpectedly cast in a community-theater production — then transforms into a zealous method actor willing to wage war over a marginal role.
    Clayton Davis, Variety, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Though sympathetic to the onslaught of treatments Zai is facing, the meek, protective Minoti warns her of the repercussions of rebellion.
    Miriam Balanescu, IndieWire, 6 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • While Patchett’s depiction of equine behavior is fairly realistic, the decisions of the main character in this central tale are less so.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Modular systems, portable data and realistic fallback plans keep one dependency from becoming the foundation of the whole business.
    Atul Sabharwal, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • That makes even modest efficiency gains financially significant across long voyages.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Palmeiras winger Allan, 22, quickly emerged as one such solution, though his modest goal and assist tally alarmed supporters when the wisdom of City’s market strategy was being questioned.
    Tim Spiers, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Earlier models relied on broad hydrological assumptions and missed practical engineering hurdles.
    Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Giving manufacturers a practical way to reverse that integrity at the end of life could help turn some of those expensive materials back into feedstock instead of waste.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 6 Sep. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Down-to-earth.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/down-to-earth. Accessed 9 Sep. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster