1
as in dropping
to strike (someone) so forcefully as to cause a fall
downed his opponent with one stunning blow
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in sipping
to take into the stomach through the mouth and throat
downing slices of pizza and guzzling bottles of soda
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in dismissing
to reject by or as if by a vote
all attempts to ban indoor smoking had been downed by the town council
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of downing
The Patriots have won all of those playoff appearances, downing the Chargers in the AFC Divisional Round in 2007 and 2019, while beating the Chargers in the AFC Championship in 2008.
—
Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 9 Jan. 2026
Cathedral Catholic Girls soccer Collecting two goals and two assists while playing smothering defense, the senior led the Dons to a 2-0-1 record in the Excalibur Tournament, downing Huntington Beach Edison 1-0 in the finale.
—Steve Brand, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Jan. 2026
Muenster repeats, downing Shiner again Muenster completed back-to-back state title campaigns, both against Shiner, as the Hornets downed the Comanches 28-0 to take the Class 2A Division II championship on Thursday morning before 7,397 looking on.
—Charles Baggarly & Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Dec. 2025
Punter Matt Araiza put four punts inside the 20, and Kevin Knowles was clutch in downing two of them, including one at the Dallas 1-yard line in the fourth quarter.
—Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 28 Nov. 2025
Credit her 24/7 exercise regimen of downing cocktails and dishing dirt, or chalk it up to a hopeful striver’s indefatigable inner spirit.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 12 Nov. 2025
Take William Shakespeare, who is often portrayed as a carouser, downing pints while exchanging barbs with his fellow writers, cheating on his wife with both men and women, passionately engaging his quill to reimagine the very nature of the human being.
—Isaac Butler, The Atlantic, 3 Nov. 2025
Prosecutor Andrew Figliuzzi claimed Chambers dined at a Houston restaurant before hitting three bars on the night of the crash, per the Chronicle, allegedly downing at least six alcoholic beverages and using cocaine.
—Kc Baker, PEOPLE, 23 Oct. 2025
Have an experience close to sipping wine than downing grain alcohol.
—Jahan Marcu, Rolling Stone, 23 Oct. 2025
Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 9 Jan. 2026
Cathedral Catholic Girls soccer Collecting two goals and two assists while playing smothering defense, the senior led the Dons to a 2-0-1 record in the Excalibur Tournament, downing Huntington Beach Edison 1-0 in the finale.
—Steve Brand, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Jan. 2026
Muenster repeats, downing Shiner again Muenster completed back-to-back state title campaigns, both against Shiner, as the Hornets downed the Comanches 28-0 to take the Class 2A Division II championship on Thursday morning before 7,397 looking on.
—Charles Baggarly & Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Dec. 2025
Punter Matt Araiza put four punts inside the 20, and Kevin Knowles was clutch in downing two of them, including one at the Dallas 1-yard line in the fourth quarter.
—Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 28 Nov. 2025
Credit her 24/7 exercise regimen of downing cocktails and dishing dirt, or chalk it up to a hopeful striver’s indefatigable inner spirit.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 12 Nov. 2025
Take William Shakespeare, who is often portrayed as a carouser, downing pints while exchanging barbs with his fellow writers, cheating on his wife with both men and women, passionately engaging his quill to reimagine the very nature of the human being.
—Isaac Butler, The Atlantic, 3 Nov. 2025
Prosecutor Andrew Figliuzzi claimed Chambers dined at a Houston restaurant before hitting three bars on the night of the crash, per the Chronicle, allegedly downing at least six alcoholic beverages and using cocaine.
—Kc Baker, PEOPLE, 23 Oct. 2025
Have an experience close to sipping wine than downing grain alcohol.
—Jahan Marcu, Rolling Stone, 23 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for downing
Verb
-
The Packers finished a season that began with Super Bowl hopes by dropping five in a row.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
11 Jan. 2026
-
The Giants fired head coach Brian Daboll midseason after blowing a 10-point fourth-quarter lead to the Chicago Bears, a game in which rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart sustained a concussion, dropping them to 2-8.—
Ryan Canfield,
FOXNews.com,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In the end, the town promises a simpler life, sipping strong espressos beneath fluttering palm trees.—
Dana Sauchelli,
Travel + Leisure,
22 Jan. 2026
-
Meanwhile, days are spent sipping ceremonial matcha in the open-air tea house, strolling beneath clouds of cherry blossoms each spring, or pausing before the towering bronze Buddha.—
Lewis Nunn,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Acknowledging effort and complexity, rather than dismissing them, fosters engagement and improves problem-solving.—
Cheryl Robinson,
Forbes.com,
20 Jan. 2026
-
Federal judge rules in Simplot’s favor In late December, Winmill issued an order granting the company’s request for a summary judgment and dismissing all of Skidmore and Dance’s claims.—
Angela Palermo,
Idaho Statesman,
20 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The Bulls shot 33 free throws — hitting 27 — compared to 15 attempts at the line for the Wolves.—
Tom Carothers,
Twin Cities,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Severe cold temperatures hitting much of the country this week could branch out − literally.—
Melina Khan,
USA Today,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Symptoms can include abdominal pain or discomfort, blurred or double vision, dilated pupils, dizziness, drooping eyelid, dry or sore throat, facial muscle paralysis, nausea or vomiting, swollen belly, and trouble swallowing and speaking.—
Michele Laufik,
Martha Stewart,
20 Jan. 2026
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For dry mouth, dipping food in sauce or gravy and sipping water throughout the day may help with swallowing.—
Stephanie Brown,
PEOPLE,
20 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The mullahs have responded by killing thousands of demonstrators and arresting thousands more, most of whom will be executed if the regime survives.—
Steve Forbes,
Forbes.com,
21 Jan. 2026
-
Two officers then fired back, killing him, according to Baltimore Police Commissioner Richard Worley.—
Stephanie Douglas,
CBS News,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The waterside trees leaned far out over the currents, almost toppling into the river, as if being pushed by the exuberant growth at their backs.—
Stanley Stewart,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Jan. 2026
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Strikes are something that had an important role in toppling the Pahlavi regime in 1979.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The song’s promotional image, shot by Stella Blackmon, shows the singer seated on a hotel bed, drinking one of American convenience store 7-Eleven’s greatest hits, the Big Gulp.—
Margaux Anbouba,
Vogue,
23 Jan. 2026
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Both men were in the bar hours earlier drinking and watching the Kansas City Chiefs narrowly beat the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2023 Super Bowl.—
David Goodhue,
Miami Herald,
22 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Downing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downing. Accessed 24 Jan. 2026.
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