1
as in dropping
to strike (someone) so forcefully as to cause a fall
downed his opponent with one stunning blow
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 Midwest, meanwhile, was recovering from a strong line of storms that tore through parts of Illinois, Indiana and northern Kentucky on Wednesday, bringing possible tornadoes, damaging homes, and downing trees and power lines in the region.
—
ABC News,
18 June 2026
Parts of Anne Arundel County were thrashed by high winds Friday night as a severe storm rolled through the area, downing trees and causing power outages.
—
Racquel Bazos,
Baltimore Sun,
13 June 2026
Workers started industrial action at all three Inpex facilities last week, downing tools for four hours a day among other measures.
—
Sing Yee Ong,
Bloomberg,
8 June 2026
Unfortunately for the Kansas City Chiefs star, the Knicks pulled ahead to ultimately win the match—and Kelce protested by taking a mini nap on his fiancée's shoulder and downing his drink in a beer chug seen all over the internet.
—
Lara Walsh,
InStyle,
8 June 2026
Ukraine has retained roughly the same interception rates for drones as before the recent escalation, downing around 90% of them each month and using electronic warfare to divert some munitions away from populated areas.
—
Lauren Kent,
CNN Money,
4 June 2026
Moscow was also targeted, with air defenses downing 13 drones approaching the capital, Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said on Telegram.
—
Elmira Aliieva,
NBC news,
3 June 2026
Strong to severe thunderstorms with brilliant lightning and booming thunder swept through the Kansas City area early Monday, knocking out power to thousands and downing some trees and limbs in the metro.
—
Kansas City Star,
1 June 2026
But the country has remained cautious in downing errant drones, which can pose risks to populated areas.
—
Arkansas Online,
30 May 2026
ABC News,
18 June 2026
Parts of Anne Arundel County were thrashed by high winds Friday night as a severe storm rolled through the area, downing trees and causing power outages.
—
Racquel Bazos,
Baltimore Sun,
13 June 2026
Workers started industrial action at all three Inpex facilities last week, downing tools for four hours a day among other measures.
—
Sing Yee Ong,
Bloomberg,
8 June 2026
Unfortunately for the Kansas City Chiefs star, the Knicks pulled ahead to ultimately win the match—and Kelce protested by taking a mini nap on his fiancée's shoulder and downing his drink in a beer chug seen all over the internet.
—
Lara Walsh,
InStyle,
8 June 2026
Ukraine has retained roughly the same interception rates for drones as before the recent escalation, downing around 90% of them each month and using electronic warfare to divert some munitions away from populated areas.
—
Lauren Kent,
CNN Money,
4 June 2026
Moscow was also targeted, with air defenses downing 13 drones approaching the capital, Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said on Telegram.
—
Elmira Aliieva,
NBC news,
3 June 2026
Strong to severe thunderstorms with brilliant lightning and booming thunder swept through the Kansas City area early Monday, knocking out power to thousands and downing some trees and limbs in the metro.
—
Kansas City Star,
1 June 2026
But the country has remained cautious in downing errant drones, which can pose risks to populated areas.
—
Arkansas Online,
30 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for downing
Verb
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Phillies starter Zack Wheeler dominated — with help from center fielder Derek Hill, whose jaw-dropping catch robbed Juan Soto of a home run — to spoil interim manager Andy Green’s in-dugout Mets debut.
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Top Employees Making Avoidable Mistakes One sign is when your best people start dropping the ball.
Verb
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At almost the 59-minute mark, when Brazil was up 2-0, the camera pans to Butler looking glum and sipping his drink; Brown, expressionless, has her head resting in her hand.
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During the cooler months, everyone sits bundled up around the fire or on the porch on rainy nights, sipping great wines.
Verb
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Integration Calling genomics the most powerful data asset in biopharma does not mean dismissing other data types.
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For now, Comcast is dismissing M&A talk, but there also is the matter of timing.
Verb
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Leveraged ETFs that aim to amplify SpaceX’s performance by providing double the returns (or losses) are already hitting the market.
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Ahead of the impending heat wave hitting the Pittsburgh area, Allegheny County officials have activated a Code Red Heat Advisory for Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.
Verb
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Patients may initially experience jaw stiffness, neck pain, back pain or difficulty swallowing.
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An alligator at the Sacramento Zoo is recovering after swallowing – and later regurgitating – a plush toy that fell into its habitat.
Verb
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In January 2024, Mansfield confessed to killing 18-year-old Carol Ann Barrett more than four decades earlier.
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He is accused of killing a man on March 13, 2022, Broward court records show.
Verb
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Statue toppling riots… and the very real possibility of death.
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Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton missed the entire 2025-26 campaign to recover from a torn Achilles, but the Pacers were one game away from toppling the Oklahoma City Thunder and winning the 2024-25 championship before Haliburton got hurt.
Verb
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The Tartan Army finally made it to Fenway, a sort of Loch Ness Monster meeting the Green Monstah, in time to watch the Texas Rangers beat the Red Sox 6-4, apparently drinking the Hub dry.
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And the risk isn’t only from drinking.
Cite this Entry
“Downing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downing. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.
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