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

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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 Moore’s injury was a downer in a first half that saw Miami trail, 20-3, at halftime. — Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 22 Aug. 2026 The season has been a downer for the Sun (7-23), the franchise’s farewell campaign in Connecticut before relocating to Houston. — Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 7 Aug. 2026 Since insurance is the best form of asset protection found anywhere, this can be a downer. — Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 30 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 See All Example Sentences for downer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for downer
  1. accident
  2. bore
  3. down
  4. bummer
Noun
  • The crash came three weeks after 17 people died in another accident along the same highway linking the capital, Nairobi, with the coastal city of Mombasa.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026
  • An accident in the Chihuahua mountains On April 19, the Chihuahua Attorney General’s Office reported the dismantling of a synthetic drug lab in the municipality of Morelos, in the mountains of that state.
    — María Verza, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of accident
Noun
  • Many farmers rely on bore water, but some say their wells have been pumped dry by the gas industry, and their water is now being offered to the developers to help build the AI data center.
    — Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Legend held that the Roman race had sprung from Mount Ida in Troy, whose name Cybele bore—Magna Mater Idaea.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of bore
Noun
  • The Boise State defense also produced a turnover-on-downs in the final minutes, batting away several shots at the end zone to hold the Cougars to 10 points.
    — Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 25 Oct. 2026
  • On top of that, BYU defensive tackle Keanu Tanuvasa was assessed an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty that gave the Knights a fresh set of downs and moved them up to the BYU 28-yard line.
    — Matt Reigle OutKick, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of down
Noun
  • Anyway, the only bummer was Toka completely blew out Savu, so a bit of the drama got sapped, which means the purple tribe was facing their first Tribal Council.
    — Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Oct. 2026
  • The early start to this NFL season yielded the earliest bummer.
    — Jerry Brewer, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of bummer

Browse Nearby Words

downed
downer
downers
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Cite this Entry

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

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