1
as in descending
to come down from something (as a vehicle)
I was getting down from the seaplane when a gust of wind swept away my hat
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in weighing down
to make sad
it's really getting him down that there does not seem to be one woman who will date him
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in sipping
to take into the stomach through the mouth and throat
with her sore throat, liquids are the only thing she can get down
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 getting down
This will probably require getting down on your hands and knees.
—
Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 14 May 2026
The pair shared a sweet slideshow on Instagram in December 2023 that showed Wilson getting down on one knee in front of a Christmas tree to ask a shocked van der Pol to marry him.
—Brendan Le, PEOPLE, 28 Apr. 2026
Considered undersized for a starting pitcher — Yamamoto is only 5-10, 176 pounds — the Japanese right-hander generates power by holding his leg kick for a second before getting down the mound, as many Japanese pitchers do, and his whiplash-like arm action generates deception.
—Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 15 Apr. 2026
Somewhere deep in the woods of eastern Long Island, 72-year-old Christie Brinkley is getting down in the dirt.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Apr. 2026
March Madness getting down to the wire Illinois coach Brad Underwood and the Illini celebrate after their win over Iowa in Houston on Saturday.
—Kayla Hayempour, NBC news, 29 Mar. 2026
Ford even copped to getting down to his own movie soundtracks.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 13 Mar. 2026
The family moved from their home on the 50th floor of a building to a ground floor rental unit during the crisis out of concern about the safety of getting down from a high floor if needed.
—Alan Gionet, CBS News, 4 Mar. 2026
While not gruff or unfriendly, the serious New York restaurateur carries a distinct tone of getting down to business, even when casually chatting about how the show has changed over time.
—Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 27 Feb. 2026
Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 14 May 2026
The pair shared a sweet slideshow on Instagram in December 2023 that showed Wilson getting down on one knee in front of a Christmas tree to ask a shocked van der Pol to marry him.
—Brendan Le, PEOPLE, 28 Apr. 2026
Considered undersized for a starting pitcher — Yamamoto is only 5-10, 176 pounds — the Japanese right-hander generates power by holding his leg kick for a second before getting down the mound, as many Japanese pitchers do, and his whiplash-like arm action generates deception.
—Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 15 Apr. 2026
Somewhere deep in the woods of eastern Long Island, 72-year-old Christie Brinkley is getting down in the dirt.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Apr. 2026
March Madness getting down to the wire Illinois coach Brad Underwood and the Illini celebrate after their win over Iowa in Houston on Saturday.
—Kayla Hayempour, NBC news, 29 Mar. 2026
Ford even copped to getting down to his own movie soundtracks.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 13 Mar. 2026
The family moved from their home on the 50th floor of a building to a ground floor rental unit during the crisis out of concern about the safety of getting down from a high floor if needed.
—Alan Gionet, CBS News, 4 Mar. 2026
While not gruff or unfriendly, the serious New York restaurateur carries a distinct tone of getting down to business, even when casually chatting about how the show has changed over time.
—Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 27 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for getting down
Verb
-
Most of the deaths along the pass have happened while climbers are descending.—
Becky Bohrer,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2026
-
Today, rumors circulating on social media in the DRC include false claims that Ebola is not real, that humanitarian workers are descending on the area solely for their own profit and that aid groups are withholding the best care available.—
Gabrielle Emanuel,
NPR,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
The best styling products for fine hair can add major oomph and volume without weighing down your strands.—
Alanna Martine Kilkeary,
Glamour,
29 May 2026
-
Investors have been selling off memory plays in recent days, weighing down the market.—
Sarah Min,
CNBC,
19 May 2026
Verb
-
In other words, avoid swishing seltzers in your mouth, drinking a lot of them or even sipping one throughout the day.—
The New York Times News Service Syndicate,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 May 2026
-
As Rosneqvist celebrated by sipping milk, then dumping it over his head, Malukas was consoled by his father in pit lane.—
Michael Marot,
Los Angeles Times,
24 May 2026
Verb
-
The popular halftime performer known as Red Panda finished her signature seven-minute set, looked up at a crowd of fans chanting her name and flashed a smile before dismounting.—
Alanis Thames,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Jan. 2026
-
The woman told investigators Herzing had made similar threats in July, which resulted in the victim suffering minor scrapes after dismounting at a stoplight.—
Lauren Breunig,
Twin Cities,
2 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
One very rare risk is Naegleria fowleri, which can infect people when contaminated warm freshwater enters the nose—not from swallowing water.—
Mira Miller,
Verywell Health,
1 June 2026
-
Avoid swallowing water or getting it up your nose while swimming to lower your risk of giardia and other waterborne parasites.—
Justin Laube,
EverydayHealth.com,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
Caught unprotected off the port of Saint-Nazaire, the ship was sunk by German planes, the attack lighting a resulting fuel spill.—
USA Today,
USA Today,
2 June 2026
-
Design is modern and clean-lined—muted tones, patterned wallpaper, and enough art and lighting drama to feel fun without tipping into theme.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
In 1993, a storm with baseball-size hail wiped out the local wheat harvest, depressing incomes and leaving the town too poor to remove damaged buildings.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
27 May 2026
-
Each is separately spring-loaded, depressing four millimeters at most (though they can be actuated with as little as two millimeters of travel) before bouncing back with a confirming click.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 May 2026
Verb
-
The project's cover artwork depicts Role Model (whose real name is Tucker Pillsbury) drinking from a beer bottle while sitting near a man and woman eating cake and looking at him while seemingly dressed for their wedding.—
Jack Irvin,
PEOPLE,
28 May 2026
-
This is not like drinking a glass of water.—
Catherine Ellis,
Miami Herald,
28 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Getting down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/getting%20down. Accessed 3 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
