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 powerful winds are capable of causing catastrophic damage to structures while downing trees and power lines, and producing prolonged power outages. — Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 6 July 2026 Chestnut is now an 18-time Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest champion after blowing out the competition once again, this time by downing 66 hot dogs and buns in Coney Island. — Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 4 July 2026 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 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for downing

Verb

After an initial flurry, Yanez expertly countered, dropping the former champion with precise right hands.

— Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 12 July 2026
As the pass map below shows, Oyarzabal concentrated more on linking play, frequently dropping deeper than wide attackers Lamine Yamal and Alex Baena.

— Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 11 July 2026

Definition of dropping

Verb

Even for the die-hard coffee drinker, sipping on a delicious cup of tea now and again can provide health benefits, promote relaxation and help lower stress.

— BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 9 July 2026
The courtyard restaurant is perfect for sipping coffee in the sun; the menu here has more indulgent options like paellas and hamburgers.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 July 2026

Definition of sipping

Verb

The two commissioners selected by congressional Democrats, Chairman Thomas Hicks and Benjamin Hovland, each received an email dismissing them on July 9.

— Sarah D. Wire, USA Today, 10 July 2026
England went into the Mexico match inspired by having so many factors against them and with a lot of people dismissing their chances of winning the tournament.

— Carl Anka, New York Times, 10 July 2026

Definition of dismissing

Verb

Stopa went on the run, later killing herself by swallowing poison in a Detroit hotel room.

— Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 11 July 2026
Some of the ways a person can get infected is by drinking untreated water, washing or watering fresh produce with contaminated water, or swallowing contaminated water from swimming pools, hot tubs and lakes, according to Cleveland Clinic.

— Michelle Marchante July 10, Miami Herald, 10 July 2026

Definition of swallowing

Verb

In that case, authorities believe the mother was responsible for slaying the family and then killing herself.

— Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2026
Critics didn’t shy away from directly accusing Starmer’s government of essentially killing pensioners.

— Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 11 July 2026

Definition of killing

Verb

How to protect yourself When traveling to areas where cyclospriasis is endemic — including tropical or subtropical regions — avoid drinking tap water.

— Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
Some jokes, including a riff on the history of the Wright Brothers, feel vaguely Dada, as if Marino and Wain had spent a long, happy stretch of aimless days drinking coffee and free-associating.

— Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 10 July 2026