as in silky
smooth or delicate in appearance or feel
the downy surface of a ripe peach
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of downy
Its large, wall-size windows, their casements painted a downy shade of white, look out across Bedford Street onto a row of old and characterful brownstones, including number 75½, whose façade, at nine and a half feet across, is allegedly the city’s narrowest (and therefore most charming).
—
Helen Rosner, The New Yorker, 2 Feb. 2025
Jackie has over 7,000 waterproof feathers on her body that help keep her dry and downy feathers that keep her warm, Steers previously said.
—Helena Wegner, Sacramento Bee, 27 Jan. 2025
The shape of the breeds' eyes, ears, paws and tails helps deflect cold temperatures, and many have a double coat, with water-resistant bristles giving way to longer, downy fur.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 10 Jan. 2025
This year, an enormous king penguin chick named Pesto — a 50-pound tower of downy brown fluff at the Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium, in Australia — became a textbook case.
—Emily Anthes, New York Times, 25 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for downy
Helen Rosner, The New Yorker, 2 Feb. 2025
Jackie has over 7,000 waterproof feathers on her body that help keep her dry and downy feathers that keep her warm, Steers previously said.
—Helena Wegner, Sacramento Bee, 27 Jan. 2025
The shape of the breeds' eyes, ears, paws and tails helps deflect cold temperatures, and many have a double coat, with water-resistant bristles giving way to longer, downy fur.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 10 Jan. 2025
This year, an enormous king penguin chick named Pesto — a 50-pound tower of downy brown fluff at the Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium, in Australia — became a textbook case.
—Emily Anthes, New York Times, 25 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for downy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for downy
Adjective
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The pedals are made from a silky polyurethane material, while the stems feature a metal wire base that is wrapped in plastic.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
9 May 2025
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The palate is silky smooth yet robust, showcasing flavors of brown sugar, dark stone fruit, cinnamon bark, and sweet tobacco.—
Joseph V Micallef,
Forbes.com,
8 May 2025
Adjective
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Pop a satin version on top of your usual night-out curls to make the 'do feel glamorous.—
Jasmine Washington,
Seventeen,
18 Jan. 2023
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From satin pillowcases to a hydrating moisturizer, all of these products are on sale for less than $25.—
Isabel Garcia,
Peoplemag,
13 Jan. 2023
Adjective
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Some risk factors for babies include sleeping on their side or stomach, sharing a bed with a parent or caregiver, using soft bedding or bumper pads and sleeping on an incline.—
Adrianna Rodriguez,
USA Today,
10 May 2025
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The all-in-one outfit, which comes in 17 colors, is made out of a soft material that has a bit of stretch.—
Isabel Garcia,
People.com,
9 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Downy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downy. Accessed 15 May. 2025.
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