down 1 of 6

adverb

ˈdau̇n How to pronounce down (audio)
Definition of downnext
1
as in downward
toward or in a lower position the stairs went down to the basement

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2
as in away
from this or that place came down from New York for the weekend

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down

2 of 6

adjective

1
as in up
brought or having come to an end eight down and two to go

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2
as in lowered
directed down a down escalator

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3
as in depressed
feeling unhappiness feeling a bit down

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4
as in sick
temporarily suffering from a disorder of the body down with the flu

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5
as in off
not being in working order while my computer was down, I attended to some unfinished odds and ends lying about my cubicle

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6
as in great
slang of the very best kind a small jazz club that showcases some really down musicians

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down

3 of 6

noun (1)

as in fur
a soft airy substance or covering a comforter filled with goose down

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down

4 of 6

noun (2)

1
as in accident
something (as a situation or event) that is depressing lately it's been one down after another in my life

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2
as in grudge
chiefly British a lingering ill will towards a person for a real or imagined wrong I don't understand why she'd have such a down against me; we've never even spoken to each other!

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3
as in dislike
chiefly British a strong feeling of not liking or approving for years after the war her grandfather had an unshakable down on the Germans

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4
as in drop
the act or process of going to a lower level or altitude suffered with a psychological disorder in which she alternated between emotional ups and downs

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5
as in demise
a loss of status experienced the ups and downs of a career in showbiz

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down

5 of 6

noun (3)

as in prairie
usually downs plural a broad area of level or rolling treeless country hold a festival on the downs

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down

6 of 6

verb

1
as in to drop
to strike (someone) so forcefully as to cause a fall downed his opponent with one stunning blow

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2
as in to swallow
to take into the stomach through the mouth and throat downing slices of pizza and guzzling bottles of soda

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3
as in to dismiss
to reject by or as if by a vote all attempts to ban indoor smoking had been downed by the town council

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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 down
Adverb
The Florida Panthers were able to mount a valiant comeback in San Jose, rallying from three goals down in the second period and scoring two in the third before ultimately falling in overtime. — Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2026 In our experience, materials like hypoallergenic microgel fills are nice for a feel that’s close to down. — Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 2 Oct. 2026
Adjective
Holtz notes that Gonzo has three working fingers on each hand, and a body covered in simple down-like fuzz with a few more complex feathers only on the head. — Niranjana Rajalakshmi, Popular Science, 24 Sep. 2026 And a few carryovers from Kawasaki stood out, including lurchy upshifts from the up/down quickshifter. — Michael Van Runkle, Robb Report, 21 Sep. 2026
Noun
In the Wake Forest win, UM’s final four defensive drives ended in a safety, a pair of turnovers on downs and an interception. — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 5 Oct. 2026 Third-string safety Rayuan Lane tackled Chase Brown a yard short of the first-down marker. — ABC News, 5 Oct. 2026
Verb
The storm brought coastal flooding and downed trees throughout the boroughs. — Joanna Moriello, New York Daily News, 27 Sep. 2026 Ferry services on Cape Cod and in Rhode Island were disrupted, and Amtrak canceled several trains due to the weather and downed wires. — Scott Simon, NPR, 26 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for down
  1. downward
  2. away
  3. up
  4. lowered
  5. depressed
  6. sick
  7. off
  8. great
Adverb
  • With the onset of the autumn agricultural harvest and winter heating seasons, domestic distillate inventories, including diesel, continue to trend downward.
    — , CNBC, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Such strength would help to support stock prices when the other big lever that affects stock prices, interest rates, is pushing downward.
    — Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of downward
Adverb
  • They’re drawn by its floor-to-ceiling windows and Hudson River views, plus the porte-cochere that allows discreet access to $500,000 parking spaces away from paparazzi and nosy neighbors.
    — Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Some donors came away questioning spending decisions, particularly on pricey consultants and lavish events.
    — Luke Fountain, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of away
Adjective
  • The annual showcase will take place in Manhattan’s Gotham Hall from October 16 to 18, giving collectors an up-close look at some of the year’s most exciting releases.
    — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Ergo, Roger Vivier invited friends of the maison to get an up-close look at how the past informs the present while unveiling the Spring 2027 collection.
    — Vogue, Vogue, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of up
Adjective
  • There are predetermined dates for lowered flags each year, and the governor’s office announces any additional dates necessary.
    — Tania Azhang, Sacbee.com, 28 Aug. 2026
  • This isn’t the first study to link acupuncture with lowered symptoms of depression.
    — Korin Miller, Allure, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of lowered
Adjective
  • In other words, support for white nationalism was higher among people living in more distressed or economically depressed places.
    — James Bisbee, The Conversation, 2 Oct. 2026
  • My idea of Sweden was based entirely on Scandi-noir dramas, all bleak landscapes, depressed people and woolly jumpers.
    — Natasha Langan, TheWeek, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of depressed
Adjective
  • Compiling and sharing data from large races can also help event organizers assess whether changes like earlier start times or alternate dates help reduce the number of people who get sick or hurt.
    — STAT, STAT, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Add a perinatal mood or anxiety disorder, a loss, a lawsuit, a sick parent or a partner who travels, and the inventory stops being theoretical.
    — Simbiat Adighije, Forbes.com, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of sick
Adjective
  • Mix these finds into your work wardrobe or your off-duty ensembles—they’re versatile enough to do it all, and the festive palette is worth drooling over.
    — Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Caminero is one of those players who, even amid a 162-game season, spends his off days watching baseball.
    — Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of off
Adjective
  • The rich collections do a great job of honoring visual traditions and explaining their connections to real people and real places.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Despite deep-rooted tensions between southerners and the PLC, both are in agreement that the Houthi threat is far greater than that of the other.
    — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of great

Phrases Containing down

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dowers
down
down and dirty
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Cite this Entry

“Down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/down. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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