as in silky
smooth or delicate in appearance or feel
the downy surface of a ripe peach
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of downy
Plants produce a basal rosette of downy foliage in their first year and flower in the second season, after which the plants typically die out.
—
Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 29 Mar. 2025
Reviled as rats with wings or, by a slimmer margin, beloved as downy, dirty urban icons, pigeons seem as much a part of New York as its skyline.
—Sarah Maslin Nir, New York Times, 3 May 2025
Nests can take up to three months to build, and typically contain sticks, grass, moss, cornstalks, lichen, fine woody material, downy feathers and sometimes greenery.
—Charna Flam, People.com, 1 May 2025
Instead, it was strangely decorated with long downy feathers—making the newborn bird look like a dangerous caterpillar.
—Byerik Stokstad, science.org, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for downy
Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 29 Mar. 2025
Reviled as rats with wings or, by a slimmer margin, beloved as downy, dirty urban icons, pigeons seem as much a part of New York as its skyline.
—Sarah Maslin Nir, New York Times, 3 May 2025
Nests can take up to three months to build, and typically contain sticks, grass, moss, cornstalks, lichen, fine woody material, downy feathers and sometimes greenery.
—Charna Flam, People.com, 1 May 2025
Instead, it was strangely decorated with long downy feathers—making the newborn bird look like a dangerous caterpillar.
—Byerik Stokstad, science.org, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for downy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for downy
Adjective
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These silky drawstring pants from Quince come in beautiful, subtle shades like smoke gray and navy, and are made with 100% mulberry silk with a satin finish.—
Terri Peters,
Parents,
15 Aug. 2025
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With its long, silky coat and striking appearance, the breed is also known for its spirited nature, which can make early training an energetic undertaking.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Pop a satin version on top of your usual night-out curls to make the 'do feel glamorous.—
Jasmine Washington,
Seventeen,
18 Jan. 2023
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From satin pillowcases to a hydrating moisturizer, all of these products are on sale for less than $25.—
Isabel Garcia,
Peoplemag,
13 Jan. 2023
Adjective
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Another classic silhouette, Arhaus’s blend of jute and cotton makes this rug feel slightly softer underfoot.—
Audrey Lee,
Architectural Digest,
13 Aug. 2025
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The latter gets rid of flaky skin, while the balm keeps them soft.—
Shivani Vora,
Forbes.com,
13 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Downy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downy. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
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