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
as in pragmatic
willing to see things as they really are and deal with them sensibly
a down-to-earth guidance counselor who is frank in telling students which colleges they're likely to get into
Synonyms & Similar Words
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-to-earth
Her husband and two young children were waiting for her at the finish line, and Meyers Taylor is about as down-to-earth as an elite athlete can get.
—
Los Angeles Times, 16 Feb. 2026
McNeil remains a popular, hard-working member of the squad known for being quiet and down-to-earth.
—Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 7 Feb. 2026
The plot follows an upper-class widow, Cary Scott (Jane Wyman), who falls for a much younger, down-to-earth, handsome gardener-landscaper, Ron Kirby (Rock Hudson).
—Charlie Vargas, Oc Register, 6 Feb. 2026
Whether playing banjo, guitar or the percussion instrument known as bones, Flemons is a walking encyclopedia of pre-war African-American string-band styles, blues, country and Black cowboy folk songs whose performances are wonderfully down-to-earth.
—George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for down-to-earth
Los Angeles Times, 16 Feb. 2026
McNeil remains a popular, hard-working member of the squad known for being quiet and down-to-earth.
—Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 7 Feb. 2026
The plot follows an upper-class widow, Cary Scott (Jane Wyman), who falls for a much younger, down-to-earth, handsome gardener-landscaper, Ron Kirby (Rock Hudson).
—Charlie Vargas, Oc Register, 6 Feb. 2026
Whether playing banjo, guitar or the percussion instrument known as bones, Flemons is a walking encyclopedia of pre-war African-American string-band styles, blues, country and Black cowboy folk songs whose performances are wonderfully down-to-earth.
—George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for down-to-earth
Recent Examples of Synonyms for down-to-earth
Adjective
-
If your child accomplished something great, here's how to offer praise while keeping them humble, modest, and appreciative.—
Wayne Parker,
Parents,
8 Mar. 2026
-
All of Mabel’s new forest friends—there are deer, rabbits, turtles, raccoons, and a singularly gloomy bear—bow down to a beaver sovereign, King George (Bobby Moynihan), a gregarious and naïve soul who embraces a humble, communal ideal of living.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
6 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
That was a pragmatic starting point.—
Steven Fulop,
New York Daily News,
8 Mar. 2026
-
If the regime falls, China would probably pursue pragmatic engagement with whatever authority emerges, safeguarding its economic interests in transactional fashion.—
John Calabrese,
The Conversation,
6 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
At the film’s center is Seyo Kim (Chen Emilie Yan), a meek state lawyer looking to make a difference, but who accepts, with begrudging sighs, her department’s 80% rate of dropping hate crime prosecutions as just another part of the job.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
23 Feb. 2026
-
Tushtu, the meekest, frailest of the chanters, trailing at the back, stopped to turn towards Charu with a sly grin.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
There were no indications of direct intervention — but such an expectation wouldn’t be realistic.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Everyone is mature and realistic here.—
Alexandra Glorioso,
The Orlando Sentinel,
3 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
That said, the modest growth target will still put the world’s second-largest economy on track to achieving its goal of doubling its size by 2035 from the 2020 levels, as per Beijing’s longer-term goals.—
Anniek Bao,Evelyn Cheng,
CNBC,
6 Mar. 2026
-
But with an 18% affordability index and many qualified buyers still locked into much lower interest rates, the actual effects on the real estate market will be modest.—
Phillip Molnar,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Your 2nd house also supports practical purchases, which is a great reminder to make durable, budget-respectful choices over flashy upgrades.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Gas prices are rising again, and many drivers are looking for practical ways to save money at the pump as costs climb.—
Keith Laing,
USA Today,
10 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Down-to-earth.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/down-to-earth. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
