Synonyms of takedownnext
1
: the action or an act of taking down
2
: something (such as a rifle) having takedown construction
: constructed so as to be readily taken apart
a takedown rifle

take down

3 of 3

verb

took down; taken down; taking down; takes down

transitive verb

1
: to lower without removing
took down his pants
2
a
: to pull to pieces
take down a building
b
: disassemble
take a rifle down
3
: to lower the spirit or vanity of
4
a
: to write down
took down some notes
b
: to record by mechanical means

intransitive verb

: to become seized or attacked especially by illness

Examples of takedown in a Sentence

Verb there's no need to take us down by making fun of our clothes electricians will take down all the lights for the set after the play has finished its run
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Noun
No yellow shown was to Tanaka for what appeared to be a very intentional takedown. Andrew Greif, NBC news, 26 June 2026 Later, in his office, Ames spoke for more than ten minutes, at a cadence of roughly two hundred words per minute, delivering a comprehensive takedown of 1X’s efforts. Stephen Witt, New Yorker, 29 June 2026
Adjective
The areas forward of most takedown levers serve as a place to rest your support hand thumb and can act as a gas pedal. Chris Mudgett, Outdoor Life, 8 Oct. 2020 Some Discogs record slingers posed as label owners and sent fake takedown notices to manufacture scarcity. Catherine Sinow, Ars Technica, 26 Nov. 2020
Verb
The find suggested the hobbits had hunted with tools to take down the large animals. Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 3 July 2026 Make room, Reacher — there's another troublemaker (and solver) on the scene looking to take down some big bads. Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 30 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for takedown

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1858, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1893, in the meaning defined above

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Time Traveler
The first known use of takedown was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Takedown.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/takedown. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Kids Definition

takedown

1 of 2 noun
take·​down
ˈtāk-ˌdau̇n
: the action or an act of taking down
takedown
ˌtāk-ˌdau̇n
adjective

take down

2 of 2 verb
(ˈ)tāk-ˈdau̇n
1
a
: to pull to pieces
2
: to lower the spirit or pride of : humble
3
: to write down or record by mechanical means
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