as in silky
smooth or delicate in appearance or feel
the downy surface of a ripe peach
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of downy
Tuck into a few of the downy bao buns—the beef with pickled daikon, mayo, chili and coriander is a marvel, but don’t miss the bao with hoisin duck, pickled daikon, ginger, spring onions and cucumber—the salty crunch contrast with the steamed bun is delish.
—
Katie Kelly Bell, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
This vigorous grower has soft, downy leaves in 12-inch mounds and starry, yellow-green flowers that emerge above them in summer.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 26 Aug. 2025
Penguin chicks hatch with fluffy downy feathers that aren't waterproof.
—Jim Higgins, jsonline.com, 31 July 2025
Four goslings twisted their downy necks to stare at me hard.
—Blair Braverman, Outside Online, 7 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for downy
Katie Kelly Bell, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
This vigorous grower has soft, downy leaves in 12-inch mounds and starry, yellow-green flowers that emerge above them in summer.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 26 Aug. 2025
Penguin chicks hatch with fluffy downy feathers that aren't waterproof.
—Jim Higgins, jsonline.com, 31 July 2025
Four goslings twisted their downy necks to stare at me hard.
—Blair Braverman, Outside Online, 7 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for downy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for downy
Adjective
-
The dumplings are delicious in broth or served with a silky cheese sauce.—
Francesca Giuliani Hoffman,
CNN Money,
5 Nov. 2025
-
So do the traditional Portuguese tartlets of Emeril’s pastry-shop days, which have a sweet and silky custard filling and a golden, bite-size crust.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
3 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Pop a satin version on top of your usual night-out curls to make the 'do feel glamorous.—
Jasmine Washington,
Seventeen,
18 Jan. 2023
-
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
-
Another noteworthy development is Arts Landing, a four-acre city park in Downtown Pittsburgh featuring public art, greenery and performance space set to soft open in April 2026.—
Natalia Senanayake,
PEOPLE,
10 Nov. 2025
-
For the white colorway, a contrasting gum sole with a soft suede toe highlights the sneaker, while the black version features a brown distressed tooling.—
Stephen Garner,
Footwear News,
10 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Downy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downy. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share