1
as in abrupt
being or characterized by direct, brief, and potentially rude speech or manner
rural folks are often known for their downright speech, as they are generally not ones to beat around the bush
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sheer
having no exceptions or restrictions
that's a downright lie, and you know it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in absolutely
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of downright
Jordan Sigler, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2025
And it’s been replaced by the grim reality that this team is one bad-looking MRI away from downright irrelevance.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 27 Nov. 2025
Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 19 Feb. 2026
Some were downright delightful, like Viva Las Vegas, with his muse Ann-Margret.
—Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for downright
Adjective
College football can get downright petty at times.
—Jordan Sigler, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2025
And it’s been replaced by the grim reality that this team is one bad-looking MRI away from downright irrelevance.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 27 Nov. 2025
Adverb
But sometimes the results can be truly surprising, even downright confusing.
—Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 19 Feb. 2026
Some were downright delightful, like Viva Las Vegas, with his muse Ann-Margret.
—Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for downright
Recent Examples of Synonyms for downright
Adjective
-
The abrupt shift away from Blue Jay and the LVM system are unlikely to hamper Amazon’s wider robotics and automation ambitions, especially given the technology’s ability to cut down supply chain costs.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
20 Feb. 2026
-
The abrupt withdrawal of Microsoft's co-founder dealt a fresh blow to a flagship event already marred by organizational lapses, a robot row and complaints of traffic chaos.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The duo’s inspiration—from Italian folklore, art, architecture, opera, cinema, religion, and the sheer beauty of their native country—shines through.—
Laurie Brookins,
Travel + Leisure,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Some of these scenarios would be more painful than others for the Bulls, who likely will sink next season into another losing endeavor — perhaps by choice, perhaps by the sheer reality of their roster’s lack of talent.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
That’s the biggest takeaway from the singer/songwriter’s magical, spirited and joyous performance Saturday night in front of a sold-out, absolutely reverent crowd at Target Center in downtown Minneapolis.—
Ross Raihala,
Twin Cities,
22 Feb. 2026
-
And that is absolutely devastating to our student stability.—
Da Lin,
CBS News,
22 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Tyler Perry loves his broad comedies, many revolving around his most enduring character, Madea, the blunt, street-smart, occasionally violent grandmother with a heart of gold.—
Rodney Ho,
AJC.com,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Reflecting on the changes in the industry, Harewood can be blunt.—
Marta Balaga,
Variety,
20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
In response to claims by the prominent late Epstein victim Virginia Giuffre, who claimed in court documents that Wexner was among men Epstein trafficked her to, Wexner testified to utter devotion to his wife of 33 years, Abigail.—
JULIE CARR SMYTH THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
19 Feb. 2026
-
For those captains and their countries, anything less than outright victory is an utter failure.—
Mark Lazerus,
New York Times,
12 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
The animals can recover from their cold-stunned state.—
Michelle Del Rey,
USA Today,
6 Feb. 2026
-
All told, the five sites collected 5,195 dead or cold-stunned iguanas.—
Bill Kearney,
Sun Sentinel,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Jones’s personal style — a quirky, at times ill-fitting wardrobe of short skirts, cleavage-revealing tops, mumsy cardigans, granny pants and long scarves — helped cement her character into an unforgettable part of noughties pop culture history.—
Kati Chitrakorn,
CNN Money,
17 Feb. 2026
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Larger groups might be interested in the Grove Lodge, a short walk from the Mountain House, which has six individual rooms and a great foyer that can be booked for one group stay or individually.—
Katie Mathews,
Condé Nast Traveler,
17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Sofia Vergara kept tan lines to the absolute minimum during an impromptu sunbathing session on Friday morning.—
Lara Walsh,
InStyle,
21 Feb. 2026
-
The absolute security that George felt about his own social position, plus some liberal impulse stirring within him, led him to want to take down the barriers that the Mardi Gras krewes—social organizations of immense prestige—had erected against Jews, at least on behalf of the Lemanns.—
Nicholas Lemann,
New Yorker,
21 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Downright.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downright. Accessed 24 Feb. 2026.
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