as in silky
smooth or delicate in appearance or feel
the downy surface of a ripe peach
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Recent Examples of downy
Its large, wall-size windows, their casements painted a downy shade of white, look out across Bedford Street onto a row of old and characterful brownstones, including number 75½, whose façade, at nine and a half feet across, is allegedly the city’s narrowest (and therefore most charming).
—
Helen Rosner, The New Yorker, 2 Feb. 2025
Instead, it was strangely decorated with long downy feathers—making the newborn bird look like a dangerous caterpillar.
—Byerik Stokstad, science.org, 20 Mar. 2025
Its large, wall-size windows, their casements painted a downy shade of white, look out across Bedford Street onto a row of old and characterful brownstones, including number 75½, whose façade, at nine and a half feet across, is allegedly the city’s narrowest (and therefore most charming).
—Helen Rosner, The New Yorker, 2 Feb. 2025
Jackie has over 7,000 waterproof feathers on her body that help keep her dry and downy feathers that keep her warm, Steers previously said.
—Helena Wegner, Sacramento Bee, 27 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for downy
Helen Rosner, The New Yorker, 2 Feb. 2025
Instead, it was strangely decorated with long downy feathers—making the newborn bird look like a dangerous caterpillar.
—Byerik Stokstad, science.org, 20 Mar. 2025
Its large, wall-size windows, their casements painted a downy shade of white, look out across Bedford Street onto a row of old and characterful brownstones, including number 75½, whose façade, at nine and a half feet across, is allegedly the city’s narrowest (and therefore most charming).
—Helen Rosner, The New Yorker, 2 Feb. 2025
Jackie has over 7,000 waterproof feathers on her body that help keep her dry and downy feathers that keep her warm, Steers previously said.
—Helena Wegner, Sacramento Bee, 27 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for downy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for downy
Adjective
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With this release, Master Blender Rachel Barrie closes the Malting Season series by capturing the silky texture and nuanced sweetness that only traditional methods and patient maturation can produce.—
Paul Caputo,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2025
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The silky sauce also coats the meatballs well and makes a great topping for egg noodles or rice.—
Jasmine Smith,
Southern Living,
30 May 2025
Adjective
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Pop a satin version on top of your usual night-out curls to make the 'do feel glamorous.—
Jasmine Washington,
Seventeen,
18 Jan. 2023
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From satin pillowcases to a hydrating moisturizer, all of these products are on sale for less than $25.—
Isabel Garcia,
Peoplemag,
13 Jan. 2023
Adjective
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While investors remain hopeful for a soft landing for the U.S. economy, how severe could the situation become if another recession occurs?—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
2 June 2025
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The interior of my bZ Limited was comfortable, trimmed in appealing soft materials and roomy.—
Mark Phelan,
USA Today,
2 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Downy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downy. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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