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
He is still covered in downy feathers and scrambles about on skinny legs, not yet ready to take flight.
—
Kate Wong, Scientific American, 16 Sep. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for downy
Kate Wong, Scientific American, 16 Sep. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for downy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for downy
Adjective
-
Gwyneth Paltrow whipped up her famous boyfriend-breakfast in a silky navy set, Kate Hudson sat for hair and makeup in a knitted turtleneck combo, and Demi Moore hung out with family in a gingham two-piece.—
Izzy Baskette,
PEOPLE,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Hourglass Vanish Airbrush Concealer Of course, my breakouts don’t magically disappear, but the silky-smooth formula evens my skin tone and gives a blurring, Facetune-like effect IRL.—
Melony Forcier,
InStyle,
7 Jan. 2026
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
-
Between its dig-free straps, silky-soft performance fabric, and light Spanxsmooth compression, this one-and-done outfit is a unicorn of travel-friendly pieces, offering all-day comfort in one singular silhouette that’s just as easy to style under a cardigan, zip-up, or jacket.—
Julia Morlino,
Travel + Leisure,
14 Jan. 2026
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Shoppers agree the set feels ultra-soft.—
Izzy Baskette,
PEOPLE,
14 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Downy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downy. Accessed 16 Jan. 2026.
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