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
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Recent Examples of downright
A.d. Amorosi, Variety, 11 Jan. 2026
Duncan in particular seems to get turned around a lot, and HBO’s final trailer promises plenty of action and, yes, some drama, but compared with the War Show vibe of the original GoT trailer, this is a downright comedy.
—Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 23 Dec. 2025
Zach Schonfeld, Pitchfork, 17 Apr. 2026
Unlike her comic book counterpart, who frequently pressured Wilson to leave his criminal empire behind, Zurer’s portrayal of Vanessa has been complicit — and downright integral — to Kingpin’s operations.
—Antonio Ferme, Variety, 15 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for downright
Adjective
Though Robby Hoddinott was responsible for the track’s prickly guitar lead, the backing of bassist-pal Dave Torbert from New Riders of the Purple Sage elevates Weir and the song’s rhythmic bottom to something uplifting and downright prancy.
—A.d. Amorosi, Variety, 11 Jan. 2026
Duncan in particular seems to get turned around a lot, and HBO’s final trailer promises plenty of action and, yes, some drama, but compared with the War Show vibe of the original GoT trailer, this is a downright comedy.
—Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 23 Dec. 2025
Adverb
Even by Souled American’s standards, these songs sound downright bummed.
—Zach Schonfeld, Pitchfork, 17 Apr. 2026
Unlike her comic book counterpart, who frequently pressured Wilson to leave his criminal empire behind, Zurer’s portrayal of Vanessa has been complicit — and downright integral — to Kingpin’s operations.
—Antonio Ferme, Variety, 15 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for downright
Recent Examples of Synonyms for downright
Adjective
-
Polling has found the general public felt the immigration enforcement operation in Minnesota went too far, a factor that may have contributed to the abrupt firing of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in early March.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
25 Apr. 2026
-
For audiences expecting a cradle-to-grave reckoning, that cutoff can feel abrupt.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
But the 6-foot-5 Dennis-Sutton’s potential and sheer agility are off the charts, at his size.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
25 Apr. 2026
-
The format has its limitations, though — the most obvious for fans with an inclination to ship is the sheer inability to develop romantic relationships over the course of a season.—
Payton Turkeltaub,
Variety,
25 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
No 1 — this time last year, there was still a debate between her and Mary Earps — showed her class with an acrobatic save to deny Spain an equaliser in stoppage time and was then absolutely sensational in the second half against Iceland.—
Megan Feringa,
New York Times,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Russia has lost one of its military partners in terms of its biggest drone provider, Iran, whose military industrial complex has been absolutely devastated.—
NBC news,
NBC news,
19 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Lindsay-Abaire’s multidirectional repartee gets added zip from the first-rate cast, especially Margaret Colin as the unapologetically blunt Ruth.—
Sheldon Pearce,
New Yorker,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Investigators believe the victim died in 2006 or earlier from blunt force trauma, Tierney said.—
Eric Levenson,
CNN Money,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
And Taaffe has existed, for two months, in the carefree limbo that comes with the utter lack of choice over his future.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
19 Apr. 2026
-
This would be an utter disaster; 70% to 100% of the several countries in this region fully rely on desalination plants.—
Helen Branswell,
STAT,
14 Apr. 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
-
The soft, chiffon-style fabric is lightweight and breathable, and the short-sleeve design is easy to layer with a cardigan or denim jacket on cooler days.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
21 Apr. 2026
-
The temporary truce has come under mounting strain throughout its short duration, with each side accusing the other of violating its terms.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
21 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
With Trump, these oppositions are never absolute.—
Fintan O’Toole,
The New York Review of Books,
25 Apr. 2026
-
The offense came up with timely hits early, Garrett Crochet was back to being Garrett Crochet and in the top of the ninth, the Red Sox erupted in epic fashion, scoring 10 runs to turn what was already a blowout into an absolute laugher.—
Mac Cerullo,
Hartford Courant,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Downright.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downright. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.
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