down 1 of 6

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in away
from this or that place came down from New York for the weekend

Synonyms & Similar Words

down

2 of 6

adjective

1
2
as in lowered
directed down a down escalator

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3
as in depressed
feeling unhappiness feeling a bit down

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

4
5
6

down

3 of 6

noun (1)

as in fur
a soft airy substance or covering a comforter filled with goose down

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
As of Monday, July 14, the cost of gas is down by 14 cents a gallon in the state, including South Florida. Miami Herald, 14 July 2025 Even something as basic as adding more RAM can involve specialized tools or a trip to a repair shop, if the option is even available at all. Repairs for these types of computers can be costly When something goes wrong — like the screen failing — your entire computer is down until it’s fixed. Ken Colburn, AZCentral.com, 14 July 2025
Adjective
For example, in strong market years, withdraw slightly more to build a cash buffer; in down years, tap that buffer to avoid selling low. Mike Mess, Forbes.com, 7 July 2025 Tesla broke its down streak, jumping about 5% in the session. Jason Gewirtz, CNBC, 3 July 2025
Noun
The new episodes will be full of ups and downs for the cast's relationships, following everything from Pedranti and Ryan Boyajian’s wedding planning to Kirschenheiter and long-term boyfriend Travis Mullen living under one roof again. Emily Weaver, People.com, 17 July 2025 For long-time followers of fusion energy, Tokamak Hall is the high-water mark after decades of ups and downs. Justin Worland, Time, 17 July 2025
Verb
On the women’s side, defending champion Miki Sudo of Tampa, Florida, won her 11th title, downing 33 dogs, and beating out 12 others, including a mother-daughter pair. Mankaprr Conteh, Rolling Stone, 4 July 2025 Under sunny skies in 78-degree weather, which could be described as near-perfect conditions to spend July 4th outside in Brooklyn consuming frankfurters, Chesnut’s victory wasn’t even close, with the next closest competitor downing 24 fewer hot dogs. David Close, CNN Money, 4 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for down
Adverb
  • Labor costs, the largest operating expense for most small businesses, have remained high but have been trending downward since 2022.
    William Dunkelberg, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025
  • Mid-performance, the prop jerks downward after slipping from its wire, causing a drop that nearly unseats her.
    Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 19 July 2025
Adverb
  • With the infield in to take away the bunt, the 24-year-old showed some veteran patience, fouled off two 99-plus-mph pitches, then laced a hard single up the middle to score the tying run.
    Marc Topkin, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 July 2025
  • Trump walked away from it immediately after entering office.
    Ken Roberts, Forbes.com, 19 July 2025
Adjective
  • Natural peanut butter: Store in a cool, dry spot for up three weeks, or for up to two months in the refrigerator.
    Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 28 June 2025
  • The relative strength indicator (RSI, below the price chart) is not confirming the up move.
    John Navin, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
Adjective
  • Too little could leave you feeling down and even depressed.
    Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 19 July 2025
  • Francis was depressed and couldn’t get out of bed for months, and in July 1976, a jury awarded her $2.6 million, finding the Howard Johnson chain responsible for her unsafe room.
    Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 17 July 2025
Adjective
  • Kids get hurt and get sick, like anyone else; every year, a few in the practice battle life-threatening illness, often cancer.
    Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 14 July 2025
  • Mission Viejo raced to the title while playing without wide receiver Vance Spafford (sick), cornerback Jeron Jones (fractured wrist), safeties Sawyer Thomson (knee) and Zachary Foeldi (knee) and wide receiver Max Markofski (hip).
    Dan Albano, Oc Register, 13 July 2025
Adjective
  • Aloe vera is low-maintenance, making the houseplant an excellent option for beginner houseplant owners, who don’t have much time for excessive plant care.
    Michelle Mastro, Architectural Digest, 23 July 2025
  • One of the best examples is her novel Made for Love, perhaps better known as an HBO show starring the excellent Cristin Milioti.
    The Atlantic Culture Desk, The Atlantic, 23 July 2025
Verb
  • Most recently, the team dropped a 4-0 result to York United following a pair of draws.
    Kilty Cleary, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 July 2025
  • The actor, along with an assistant director, were accused of raping an extra on the set of 2004's Hustle & Flow, but charges against them were later dropped, according to Variety.
    Carson Blackwelder, People.com, 26 July 2025
Verb
  • Travelers should also observe strict hygiene protocols, including frequent handwashing and avoiding individuals with symptoms such as sore throat, difficulty swallowing, or fever.
    Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 July 2025
  • But the villagers broke a sacred taboo by killing hummingbirds, which carried the spirits of their ancestors, and for this offense, their homes were swallowed by a lake of black pitch, never again to be habitable.
    Ian Rose, JSTOR Daily, 23 July 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/down. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on down

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!