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
The building’s rooftop neon signage was apparently added a few decades later, along with the rounded letters that spell the hotel’s name and run vertically down one corner of the building. — Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026 Miami-Dade County Public Schools is down 15,848 students, a decline that could mean less state funding for the district and put new pressure on its already strained budget. — Austin Horn, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2026
Adjective
College enrollments are down and tuition revenue has dropped, plunging many universities into the red, despite increasing their prices. — Reynald Fasciaux, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026 Skydance shares closed down about 7% in day two of trading Wednesday after a dip the day before, a second down session in a rocky NYSE debut for the merged company as investors started to weigh in. — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2026
Noun
The unit got one, but the offense couldn’t capitalize on Argyle’s 25, turning it over on downs. — Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2026 Miami turnover on downs Canes go for it on 4th and 1 from the Pitt 45. — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 24 Oct. 2026
Verb
Sofiia Lavska/Apostrophe/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images Russia's Defense Ministry said, meanwhile, that air defenses downed 808 Ukrainian drones overnight, and that two people were reported injured, The Associated Press reported. — Mark Osborne, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026 Behind a fiery night from forward Angel Reese, the Dream downed the Valkyries 79-65 on Monday night at Chase Center. — Lauren Williams, AJC.com, 20 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for down
Adverb
  • Other projects have tried to move carbon downward in seaweed.
    — Alec Luhn, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
  • The individual who inflicted the fatal injury drove the spear downward through the victim’s left chest cavity from the front, piercing major arteries and the lungs before creating the hole in the left scapula.
    — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 15 Oct. 2026
Adverb
  • The White House has grappled with how to address the cost of living ahead of the midterms, which are less than two weeks away.
    — Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The party is currently polling at approximately 35% in voter intention surveys ahead of next year’s presidential election — far away the first-place party.
    — Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 22 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • Writer Rana Foroohar got an up-close look aboard the USS Healy, a Coast Guard icebreaker.
    — Dave Davies, NPR, 14 Oct. 2026
  • 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
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
  • Celebrated as masterpieces today, at the time they were regarded as the unpolished works of a depressed, crazy man and commercially worthless.
    — Joan Martelli, Time, 17 Oct. 2026
  • In the event of a severe winter or import bottlenecks, depressed storage levels not only narrow Europe's capacity to absorb supply shocks but also risk driving natural gas prices higher.
    — , CNBC, 14 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • Grape expectations In 2020, macaques in an enclosure at the sanctuary started getting sick with an HIV-like virus called SRV.
    — Jonathan Lambert, NPR, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Or calling in sick from work even when the doctor cleared you to return in the new year.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • There is no off day for travel after Friday’s game was postponed by rain.
    — Joe Reedy, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026
  • There is no off day for travel after Friday's game was postponed by rain.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • L3Harris claims its design can deliver greater range and speed than existing systems.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Tarantino revealed the most personally meaningful piece of casting in a film filled with great performances — including supporting turns by multiple actors (Austin Butler, Mikey Madison, Sydney Sweeney) who have blown up in the seven years since.
    — Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 24 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/down. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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