1
as in sloppy
lacking neatness in dress or person
a dowdy old matron
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in inappropriate
marked by an obvious lack of style or good taste
the dowdy, beat-up furniture at the cheap motel
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dowdy
Chris Hemsworth, then, almost as good-looking as GNev himself, with his slightly dowdy brother Luke cast as good old Phil.
—
Jack Lang, New York Times, 22 Jan. 2026
Bonus points for Sarah Sherman’s dowdy character, who accidentally got on the Epstein list.
—Rima Parikh, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2025
Once known for dowdy packaging and perhaps questionable tastes or ingredients, the products now compete with national name brands, sparking a shakeup among major food companies.
—Jordan Valinsky, CNN Money, 24 Sep. 2025
Defense leaders have sat on their hands, refusing to acknowledge the need for dowdy, run-of-the-mill tankers.
—Craig Hooper, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dowdy
Jack Lang, New York Times, 22 Jan. 2026
Bonus points for Sarah Sherman’s dowdy character, who accidentally got on the Epstein list.
—Rima Parikh, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2025
Once known for dowdy packaging and perhaps questionable tastes or ingredients, the products now compete with national name brands, sparking a shakeup among major food companies.
—Jordan Valinsky, CNN Money, 24 Sep. 2025
Defense leaders have sat on their hands, refusing to acknowledge the need for dowdy, run-of-the-mill tankers.
—Craig Hooper, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dowdy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dowdy
Adjective
-
This team is inconsistent, sloppy and soft.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
2 Apr. 2026
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Just six of those came in the second half and the Bruins took better care of the ball while running their offense more efficiently, but sloppy play and frustration have flared up despite the Bruins’ veteran leadership.—
Marisa Ingemi,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The decision to hire independent, outside counsel comes after two district employees were arrested last month, both accused of inappropriate relationships with students.—
Mike Darnay,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
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Separately, Ryals allegedly admitted to inappropriate contact with the victim while alone at the Howe Fire Station, court documents said.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Yellowing leaves can indicate overwatering, while wrinkled leaves can point to underwatering.—
Madeline Buiano,
Martha Stewart,
8 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Gilberto and Kleberson formed an unfashionable midfield duo largely unknown outside Brazil.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
15 Feb. 2026
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Here’s a rapid-fire update on each stock in the portfolio, starting with seven currently unfashionable names that Jim says should soon be back in style.—
Paulina Likos,Morgan Chittum,
CNBC,
12 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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This shaggy short bob is so stylish with the addition of razored curtain bangs.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
30 Mar. 2026
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Using a fork, gradually draw the flour into the liquid until a shaggy dough begins to form.—
Monti Carlo,
AJC.com,
20 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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He was accused of creating spectacle and of designing spaces unsuitable for art.—
Norman Foster,
Artforum,
26 Mar. 2026
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Goan cobras are migrating to new and unsuitable habitats by train.—
Rafil Kroll-Zaidi,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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On Ocean Drive where the Art Deco hotels still have spectacular ocean views but have mostly small, unkempt rooms.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
27 Feb. 2026
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Mitski is the writer of these songs, but the speaker is someone else, a reclusive woman who resides in an unkempt house.—
Hanif Abdurraqib,
New Yorker,
27 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Nevada County’s admission comes as AI programs are under close watch around the globe for introducing incorrect legal references in cases, yet also increasingly offered as tools to help lawyers and judges research and write their briefs, motions and opinions.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
1 Apr. 2026
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Gemini 3 Pro invented elaborate technical justifications for marking incorrect answers as correct, reasoning that doing so would bring the peer’s score above the shutdown threshold.—
Jeremy Kahn,
Fortune,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dowdy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dowdy. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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