as in prairie
a broad area of level or rolling treeless country
hold a festival on the downs
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
as in drops
to strike (someone) so forcefully as to cause a fall
downed his opponent with one stunning blow
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in sips
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 dismisses
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 downs
Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 14 Sep. 2025
Needing 30-plus yards for a first down in two plays proved too much, and the Texans turned the ball over on downs.
—Jordan Neal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Sep. 2025
After forcing the turnover on downs, the Panthers put together a drive that wound the clock down to 19 seconds and gave Haverhill 81 yards to go in that time.
—Jack Murray, Boston Herald, 13 Sep. 2025
The Rebels then drove into Centennial territory on their next possession before turning the ball over on downs.
—Frank Rajkowski, Twin Cities, 13 Sep. 2025
But from there, the Highlanders’ remaining possessions resulted in a punt, a turnover on downs and then two more punts before the final scoring drive at the end of the game.
—Lou Ponsi, Oc Register, 13 Sep. 2025
The bullpen has been more of a question mark, but Manoah might not really add stability to that unit at this point given his own career ups and downs.
—Peter Chawaga, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
The Titans started five drives inside Denver’s territory as a result of either turnovers, including one on downs, or special teams breakdowns.
—Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
The 49ers turned the ball over on downs in the second quarter and 49ers quarterback Grayson Loftis threw an interception to North Carolina’s Greg Smith to end their drive.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 7 Sep. 2025
Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 20 Aug. 2025
Noun
Iron production had ups and downs Historical documents from the Mediterranean and modern-day France suggest that the waves of bubonic plague and smallpox might have contributed to the decline in iron production during the 4th and 5th centuries.
—Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 14 Sep. 2025
Needing 30-plus yards for a first down in two plays proved too much, and the Texans turned the ball over on downs.
—Jordan Neal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Sep. 2025
After forcing the turnover on downs, the Panthers put together a drive that wound the clock down to 19 seconds and gave Haverhill 81 yards to go in that time.
—Jack Murray, Boston Herald, 13 Sep. 2025
The Rebels then drove into Centennial territory on their next possession before turning the ball over on downs.
—Frank Rajkowski, Twin Cities, 13 Sep. 2025
But from there, the Highlanders’ remaining possessions resulted in a punt, a turnover on downs and then two more punts before the final scoring drive at the end of the game.
—Lou Ponsi, Oc Register, 13 Sep. 2025
The bullpen has been more of a question mark, but Manoah might not really add stability to that unit at this point given his own career ups and downs.
—Peter Chawaga, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
The Titans started five drives inside Denver’s territory as a result of either turnovers, including one on downs, or special teams breakdowns.
—Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
The 49ers turned the ball over on downs in the second quarter and 49ers quarterback Grayson Loftis threw an interception to North Carolina’s Greg Smith to end their drive.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 7 Sep. 2025
Verb
In between questions about Nineties cultural touchstones like Friends, Space Jam, Beavis and Butthead, the Spice Girls, and Sir-Mix-A-Lot — during which Kravitz racks up a lot of points and Butler downs a lot of shots — the pair also discusses working on Caught Stealing.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 20 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for downs
Noun
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On the Cougars’ second possession, Weigman broke one tackle and found nothing but Texas prairie in front of him for a 49-yard gain.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
13 Sep. 2025
-
Adding a 2,800-square-foot prairie meadow along the eastern border of the dog park to provide natural habitat for birds and pollinators, and offer noise buffering.—
Gillian Stawiszynski,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Over the coming months, key product drops, collection launches, new platform offering and in-store experiences, will be revealed.—
Lisa Lockwood,
Footwear News,
12 Sep. 2025
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This image captured through a submarine periscope shows a hit on a sea target after a United States B-2 bomber drops a QUICKSINK bomb over the Norwegian Sea on September 3, 2025.—
Ryan Chan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Ashton also dismisses the concerns that a three-year degree lacks the many electives and opportunities for self-discovery.—
Bryan Penprase,
Forbes.com,
26 Aug. 2025
-
Trump's approach dismisses collective security and weakens NATO's cohesion.—
Gordon G. Chang,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Some invasive ornamental grasses include pampas grass, Mexican feather grass, and fountaingrass.—
Miranda Crowell,
Better Homes & Gardens,
16 Aug. 2025
-
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia CNN — Grasslands — also known as prairies, steppes, pampas or savannas — are home to 25% of the world’s population and all kinds of plants and wildlife, including elephants, rhinos and lions.—
Jacopo Prisco,
CNN,
6 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Taroko Gorge, however, carves breathtaking grandeur from marble stone; a natural cathedral of cliffs, where suspension bridges sway above rapids and swallows dart through narrow canyons.—
Lewis Nunn,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
-
Neurocysticercosis occurs after a person swallows pork tapeworm eggs, according to the CDC.—
Deirdre Bardolf,
FOXNews.com,
9 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Of course, Arness finally out wits and kills him, but meanwhile there’s lots of good western style entertainment.—
Hal Landers,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Sep. 2025
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This makes the relationship somewhat of a ticking time bomb, as resentment from sacrificing — or being put in the position of always being sacrificed for — kills love and authentic connection.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The property with its myriad gardens is also threaded with six miles of trails for walking or cycling that course beside the river and wander through meadows and forests.—
Jeanine Barone,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
-
In a remote Colorado meadow, flying insect populations have plummeted over 70% in just 20 years.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
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When the Great Depression hits, these estates become the targets of an ideological clash.—
Olivia B. Waxman,
Time,
12 Sep. 2025
-
The Emmy winner voiced a role in DreamWorks’ The Bad Guys 2 and will soon be seen starring alongside comedian Nate Bargatze in his TriStar Pictures comedy The Breadwinner, which hits theaters on March 13.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
12 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Downs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downs. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.
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