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
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
Then there's the mental hurdle of downing a glass of brown or yellow liquid.
—Sophie Hartley, IndyStar, 17 Oct. 2025
The junior running back rushed for a pair of touchdowns and caught another as his team recovered a fumble and recorded three interceptions en route to downing crosstown rival East Ridge 23-15 at TCO Stadium in Eagan.
—Frank Rajkowski, Twin Cities, 16 Oct. 2025
The Russian Ministry of Defense also reported downing at least 51 Ukrainian drones over Russian territory.
—Lilia Geho, ABC News, 16 Oct. 2025
After downing Oceanside 32-0 on Monday night, Del Norte (12-4) was riding an 8-game winning streak.
—Steve Brand, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Oct. 2025
By Andy McCullough, Patrick Mooney and Sahadev Sharma For the first time since 2018, the Milwaukee Brewers have won a postseason series, advancing to the National League Championship Series after downing the Chicago Cubs, 3-1, in Game 5 of the National League Division Series.
—The Athletic Mlb Staff, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
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
Then there's the mental hurdle of downing a glass of brown or yellow liquid.
—Sophie Hartley, IndyStar, 17 Oct. 2025
The junior running back rushed for a pair of touchdowns and caught another as his team recovered a fumble and recorded three interceptions en route to downing crosstown rival East Ridge 23-15 at TCO Stadium in Eagan.
—Frank Rajkowski, Twin Cities, 16 Oct. 2025
The Russian Ministry of Defense also reported downing at least 51 Ukrainian drones over Russian territory.
—Lilia Geho, ABC News, 16 Oct. 2025
After downing Oceanside 32-0 on Monday night, Del Norte (12-4) was riding an 8-game winning streak.
—Steve Brand, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Oct. 2025
By Andy McCullough, Patrick Mooney and Sahadev Sharma For the first time since 2018, the Milwaukee Brewers have won a postseason series, advancing to the National League Championship Series after downing the Chicago Cubs, 3-1, in Game 5 of the National League Division Series.
—The Athletic Mlb Staff, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for downing
Verb
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Tu knows this season will look and feel a lot different for people this year (between the limited funds for gifts, traveling to see family and dropping money on once-a-year expenses).—
Kimberly Wilson,
Essence,
7 Nov. 2025
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The Arizona transfer torched KU last year, shooting 7-for-11 from the field and dropping 19 points.—
Shreyas Laddha,
Kansas City Star,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Schott Zwiesel Pure Crystal Whiskey Glasses Designed with a wide base and narrow rim to enhance the flavor and aroma of whiskey, these elegant crystal glasses can also be used for sipping Negronis, White Russians, and other spirits and cocktails.—
Mark Marino,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
31 Oct. 2025
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Wearing a period-style blue-and-white outfit while sipping tea, Ripa embodied grace and charm in this chic costume alongside Seacrest’s take on Ted Lasso.—
Kate Hogan,
PEOPLE,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Venezuelans got accustomed to dismissing it all as noise, just a pretext the dictatorship employed to stamp out civil rights.—
Quico Toro,
The Atlantic,
4 Nov. 2025
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Despite mounting criticism and public skepticism, Cheney remained a vocal defender of the war, dismissing opposition as politically motivated.—
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Gausman had retired 17 straight Dodger batters until the seventh inning, when Smith yet again got the best of him, hitting a solo home run to break the stale mate.—
Jacob Lev,
CNN Money,
26 Oct. 2025
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The singing voices behind KPop Demon Hunters' beloved girl group HUNTR/X will be hitting the stage to perform live in concert for the first time.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
PEOPLE,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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When To Seek Medical Care Things like fizzy drinks, overeating, or swallowing air can cause bloating.—
Merve Ceylan,
Health,
7 Nov. 2025
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Signs of botulism include difficulty swallowing or breathing, slurred speech and muscle weakness.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Gerard Damiano was a smart guy, a hairdresser from the Bronx who directed Deep Throat and the follow-up, Devil in Miss Jones, which were killing it at the box office, high up on Variety’s Top 50 list of the highestgrossing films.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 Nov. 2025
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The storm was the deadliest typhoon to hit the country this year, killing at least 114 people, with many more reported missing — most in Cebu province, a tourist hotspot.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The Dodgers got to rejoice again once Saturday night turned to Sunday morning, toppling the Toronto Blue Jays in a Game 7 classic to become baseball’s first repeat champions in a quarter century.—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
3 Nov. 2025
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There was one instance of vandals toppling monuments.—
Chris Kenning,
USA Today,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Staying active, meditating, drinking plenty of water and getting a full night’s sleep.—
Jackie Fields,
PEOPLE,
6 Nov. 2025
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Snag drinking glasses for 50% off and organic cotton cloth napkins for more than half off, plus check out big savings on entire dinnerware sets and more.—
Paige Bennett,
Better Homes & Gardens,
6 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Downing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downing. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
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