DOWNING Synonyms: 97 Similar and Opposite Words

downing

verb

present participle of down

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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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

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

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 downing The object of his attention is Alexander Isak, the striker who left Newcastle for Liverpool a year ago after downing tools and refusing to play and is now back on Tyneside for the first time. — George Caulkin, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026 Wind gusts reached speeds of up to 115 mph, downing palm trees and causing damage to boats and buildings. — Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 24 Aug. 2026 Walter Johnson won his American League-record 15th straight game, downing Cleveland 4-2 in the opener of a doubleheader. — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026 Tahj Washington made a special teams play, downing a Bradley Pinion punt at the 2-yard line. — David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 14 Aug. 2026 The powerful storm swept through Chicago late Tuesday morning, downing large trees, and produced a 99-mph wind gust in nearby Gary, Indiana. — Ben Noll, Washington Post, 12 Aug. 2026 His penchant for downing bottles of wine throughout his life seemed reasonable. — Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 30 July 2026 In England, an 18-year-old woman suffered three cardiac arrests after downing 10 Jägerbombs, a cocktail that combines an energy drink with the spirit Jägermeister. — Ashley Okwuosa, STAT, 30 July 2026 The incident prompted Dee and Dennis to pay more attention to their health, but opted for a shortcut by downing supplements and expecting magic to happen. — Dennis Perkins, Entertainment Weekly, 28 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for downing

Verb

Since it was designated the first national recreation area in 1964, hordes of visitors have cut Lake Mead’s glassy surface with jet skis and boats, carelessly dropping belongings that may now wash up on shore.

— Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
The dropping water levels could imperil Lake Powell's ability to generate electricity, and federal officials have been pulling water out of smaller reservoirs upstream to help buy time.

— Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of dropping

Verb

Petersen allegedly deferred to a male sergeant’s expertise on topics including firearms and internal affairs while dismissing Kennon’s expertise in other areas.

— Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 22 Aug. 2026
With the commander-in-chief and defense secretary now dismissing those reports as false, Congress should require a bipartisan committee of former military members to visit the ship.

— Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of dismissing

Verb

Lennar is down 38% since hitting a high in September of last year.

— Jason Gewirtz, CNBC, 24 Aug. 2026
The rooftop at ‘Alohilani Resort is part of the property’s fitness hub, and guests can gaze out at Waikiki Beach and feel the Pacific Ocean breeze while practicing their hitting in the batting cages.

— Catherine Garcia, TheWeek, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of hitting

Verb

Those include numbness and tingling around the mouth and fingertips, trouble walking, talking or swallowing, sometimes weakness in the upper or lower extremity, balance issues or struggles with episodic memory.

— Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 18 Aug. 2026
According to the nonprofit Poison Control, the dangers of swallowing glass depend on the size and sharpness of the pieces.

— Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of swallowing

Verb

Such attacks are common in Nigeria, where multiple armed groups operate, killing and kidnapping people for ransom.

— ABC News, ABC News, 22 Aug. 2026
Plane crash in Alaska A charter plane carrying eight people crashed near a remote radar site in western Alaska, killing everyone on board.

— Irene Byon, NBC news, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of killing

Verb

And while some don’t want to wait that long to have the chance of toppling Infantino, the current FIFA boss does have some support swimming in the sea of objectors.

— Amanda Davies, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026
The vehicle even remained intact after toppling over, a feat none of its predecessors had pulled off.

— Mike Wall, Space.com, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of toppling

Verb

Several commenters pointed to the fact that alcohol service can continue later than food service, arguing that removing late-night food could leave people drinking without an easy option to eat.

— Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 21 Aug. 2026
Lacy said police had told him his son had gone out drinking with a friend, and at some point a physical altercation took place.

— Evy Lewis, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2026