downer

noun

ˈdau̇-nər How to pronounce downer (audio)
Definition of downernext
as in accident
something (as a situation or event) that is depressing that story of drug addiction was a real downer

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 downer Since insurance is the best form of asset protection found anywhere, this can be a downer. — Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026 Both are viable, both have joyous moments, and both have downer moments as these two scenarios are played out. — Pete Hammond, Deadline, 5 June 2026 For anyone hoping for a South Street Seaport revival, the past few months have been a downer. — Ian Volner, Curbed, 4 June 2026 Another, amazing design, but the location is a total downer. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for downer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for downer
  1. accident
  2. bore
  3. down
  4. bummer
Noun
  • The public health agency also said no biological safety breaches or laboratory accidents occurred at the facility.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 5 Oct. 2026
  • There have been 42 accidents and crashes tied to the Catalina airport, claiming 30 lives since 1982.
    — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of accident
Noun
  • Snow recently did an in-depth shoot-out of quarter-bore cartridges, new and old.
    — John B. Snow, Outdoor Life, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Virtually all those trips involved hassle that was a bore to write about and just as boring to read.
    — Paul Theroux, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of bore
Noun
  • As for accommodation, a full-beam owner’s suite with a private forward terrace sits on the main deck, while a generous VIP suite with a fold-down balcony and three other guest cabins lie on the lower deck.
    — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Following an orderly wind-down, UNRWA itself will neither be essential nor necessary to accomplishing the work that lies ahead in Gaza.
    — Beth Bailey, FOXNews.com, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of down
Noun
  • The early start to this NFL season yielded the earliest bummer.
    — Jerry Brewer, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2026
  • That was one of my biggest takeaways — and bummers — from my conversation with Chris Barker, an epidemiology professor at UC Davis who has studied mosquitoes for almost 30 years, including at his lab.
    — Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of bummer

Browse Nearby Words

downed
downer
downers
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of inscrutable

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a cup of tea and a golf ball on tee side by side
Quiz: Sounds Like... Choose the word that sounds like it fits the clue...
See All