Definition of downnext
1
as in downward
toward or in a lower position the stairs went down to the basement

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
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
5
6

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
3
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

down

5 of 6

noun (3)

down

6 of 6

verb

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
Lake Mary’s Ronald Parkinson breaks up Sebastian Galeano’s fourth down pass to attempt Jordan Donahoo. Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Aug. 2026 The share of Republicans supporting the war was 69%, down from 77% in March. Justin Fishel, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026
Adjective
From wool throws to down comforters, fall is the perfect opportunity to get cozy. Alora Bopray, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026 So, the manager was confident that the growth in mindset that the Dodgers had witnessed over the last year would carry through the down time. Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Noun
Veteran Emari Demercado should start the season as the third-down passing back, with Brashard Smith mixing in as a gadget piece and kick returner. Kansas City Star, 29 Aug. 2026 Payne was stopped short of the sticks for a turnover on downs. Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Aug. 2026
Verb
The object of his attention is Alexander Isak, the striker who left Newcastle for Liverpool a year ago after downing tools and refusing to play and is now back on Tyneside for the first time. George Caulkin, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026 Wind gusts reached speeds of up to 115 mph, downing palm trees and causing damage to boats and buildings. Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 24 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for down
Adverb
  • The matching fabric shade is designed to diffuse some of the light and direct it downward for a softer, more ambient effect.
    Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Symptoms can include a high fever, cough, runny nose, red/watery eyes, white spots inside the mouth and a rash that begins on the face at the hairline and moves downward on the body.
    Finch Walker, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026
Adverb
  • Beginning with the 2026-27 school year, Texas is moving away from a system that based special education funding largely on where and how students received services.
    Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Tucked away near Lucille Ball’s former dressing room, nestled between soundstages on the Paramount lot is the office where John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein cook up many of their big-screen adventures.
    Brent Lang, IndieWire, 3 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Getting an up-close look at Ship, the company said, would shed light on how its heat shield held up during the flight — key information that could advance the development of Starship, which is designed to be fully and rapidly reusable.
    Mike Wall, Space.com, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Japan and Brazil have sought to open up Apple's App Store business model, under which developers have long ​paid commissions of up ​to 30% on in-app purchases of digital goods and services.
    Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
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
Adjective
  • Lindsay Clancy was depressed, prosecutor says During more than four weeks of testimony, jurors heard differing views from medical experts about Clancy’s mental state after Callan’s birth.
    Michael Casey, Chicago Tribune, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Many established theatrical distributors are also wary of the current depressed market for documentaries.
    Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 27 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Some recalls, Eskin said, are made after companies’ routine testing catches a pathogen before anyone gets sick, while others involve outbreaks that are already underway and vary widely in size and severity.
    Dian Zhang, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Sanchez also ordered a meal from Taco Bell, but didn’t get sick.
    Rebecca Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • The arrival of Marmoush, a springy runner who is dangerous on the break and dynamic with his off-ball movement, helped reinforce a bolder new approach.
    Thom Harris, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Diaz tacked on an RBI single in the ninth off rookie Bradley Hanner as the Astros scored six runs against New York's bullpen.
    CBS News, CBS News, 26 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • But there may be little anyone–government or corporate–can do to persuade people to have children amid greater economic uncertainty.
    Angelica Ang, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2026
  • From travel dresses to a lightweight sweater, here are 14 items from Quince’s Workwear Edit that would look great on you on your next flight, starting at $20.
    Jasmine Gomez, Travel + Leisure, 30 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/down. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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