Definition of lownext
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as in tropical
being near the equator we took a cruise to the low northern latitudes

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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as in depressed
feeling unhappiness I was feeling low, and wanted to do something exciting to cheer myself up

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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low

2 of 3

noun

low

3 of 3

adverb

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective low contrast with its synonyms?

The words base and vile are common synonyms of low. While all three words mean "deserving of contempt because of the absence of higher values," low may connote crafty cunning, vulgarity, or immorality and regularly implies an outraging of one's sense of decency or propriety.

refused to listen to such low talk

When could base be used to replace low?

While the synonyms base and low are close in meaning, base stresses the ignoble and may suggest cruelty, treachery, greed, or grossness.

base motives

When can vile be used instead of low?

Although the words vile and low have much in common, vile, the strongest of these words, tends to suggest disgusting depravity or filth.

a vile remark

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 low
Adjective
If Paramount closed the deal quick, the price would be lower, but the shareholders would be paid out. — Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2026 The Wi-Fi and GPS model is $199 for the 40mm size (matching the lowest price to date), and $229 for the 44m size. — Brad Bourque, The Verge, 6 Oct. 2026
Noun
The corridor north of downtown declined from a low of 61 mph in July 2025 to 55 mph. — Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 1 Oct. 2026 As Broward County Public Schools reach record-low enrollment alongside other major metropolitan districts across the state, school districts have a limited bandwidth to supplement the work of the councils. — Trinity Webster-Bass, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2026
Adverb
On the House side, Republicans maintain control by an exceedingly narrow margin, meaning there aren’t a lot of low-hanging districts for Democrats to aim for. — Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2026 George, in the part of the movie that everyone remembers best, is a man laid low by his answers to these questions. — Literary Hub, 2 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for low
Recent Examples of Synonyms for low
Adjective
  • French design firm Gilles & Boissier helped design the 21 guestrooms, inserting green spaces filled with palm trees and other tropical flora to make each living space feel ultra-private.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • The flip side of El Niño is a La Niña, which is marked by relatively cool water in the tropical Pacific around the equator.
    — Lauren Sommer, NPR, 5 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • Prince figured out how to make primitive-sounding electronics feel human.
    — Kristin Robinson, Billboard, 30 Sep. 2026
  • They’re rooted in a time and place that feels all too real, and this allows the monsters to parade their primitive might in a way that means something.
    — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 27 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • While the house is bursting with artwork that would make most museum curators envious, Herman’s home is surprisingly humble, built on a tight budget from prosaic materials.
    — Marissa Gluck, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026
  • In the ultimate model-off-duty moment, Gigi Hadid was seen wearing a humble zig-zag headband—the quintessential late-'90s and early-2000s hair accessory.
    — Marci Robin, Allure, 5 Oct. 2026
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
Adjective
  • Democrats’ hopes rise in Texas Democrats are feeling newly optimistic about Texas, even in deep-red seats.
    — semafor.com, semafor.com, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Later, Mars trines Neptune in your 8th House, making deeper reflection feel more intuitive than analytical.
    — Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 2 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • The quick short corner surprised Greenville (6-16-5), and Barea hit the edge of the 18-yard box before lifting a cross to the far post.
    — Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Each snapshot showed the electron distribution at a slightly different moment, allowing the researchers to follow quantum motion that occurs on extremely short timescales.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 3 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • Most franchise advertising does not fail because the brand is weak or the market is dry.
    — Jonathan Durante, Forbes.com, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Historically, midterm years see weaker returns, but better times await the following year , especially if there is gridlock from a divided Congress.
    — Jim Cramer, CNBC, 4 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • Murdoch is thick-skinned and accustomed to being underestimated by the condescending Brits, who see him as a crass interloper.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026
  • The vulnerability, the crass graffiti, the (lack of) cleanliness, uncomfortable toilet seats—the list of reasons is lengthy.
    — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 2 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

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

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