down 1 of 6

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

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Relevance

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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
Marchand Miracle lifts Cats in double-OT, ties Stanley Cup: Florida trailed twice in Game 2 Friday night and was at grave risk of going down 2-0 to Edmonton in the Stanley Cup Final -- a hole that has buried 91 percent of teams in SCF history. Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 8 June 2025 Homelessness, while down for the first time in years by one measure, remains high. Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 June 2025
Adjective
As Dallas looks to bounce back after a down year, Pickens could be a major addition. Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 June 2025 These down alternative pillows are particularly helpful for sleepers with allergies who still like a marshmallowy feel. Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 3 June 2025
Noun
Jan has become a pop culture icon (and meme) in recent years for her many ups and downs on the series. Victoria Edel, People.com, 11 June 2025 There may be no BFFs on this list who have experienced more ups and downs. Eddie Mouradian, Vulture, 11 June 2025
Verb
Taking us back to 1994 at Sherwood Country Club, Daly found himself in a matchup with Woods, but while the 5-time Masters champion was hitting balls and working out, Daly was downing Jack Daniels at the bar, refusing to call it a night. Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 May 2025 Kody Clemens homered again, and Joe Ryan produced another gem as the Twins downed the Rays 4-2 in front of 10,046 at Steinbrenner Field. Dan Hayes, New York Times, 27 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for down
Adverb
  • Several album tracks from I’m the Problem are climbing to new peaks across numerous Billboard rosters at the moment while others slip downward.
    Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025
  • Roots will grow downward in the pot, towards that water source, leading to a stronger root system.
    Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 June 2025
Adverb
  • While making the new live-action remake of How to Train Your Dragon, stars Mason Thames and Nico Parker, as well as writer-director Dean DeBlois, all walked away with some battle scars.
    EW.com, EW.com, 13 June 2025
  • The final shot of Prey seemed to tease a big battle between the Comanches and the Predators, but perhaps those ships had merely arrived to spirit Naru (and her souvenir pistol) away.
    Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 13 June 2025
Adjective
  • Shares of Southwest Airlines Co. rose 3% at the opening bell Tuesday along with other carriers in an up day for the sector.
    Michelle Chapman, Chicago Tribune, 27 May 2025
  • That’s unusually volatile in the history of the index, but actually calmer than April, which had four such up days and five days of outsized losses.
    Brendan Coffey, Sportico.com, 2 June 2025
Adjective
  • What would Georgia wear in her most depressed state?
    Hedy Phillips, People.com, 16 June 2025
  • That can put them on edge and heighten their separation anxiety, Langan said, and if their owners are depressed or grief-stricken about loss and uncertainty, the animals absorb those emotions too.
    Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2025
Adjective
  • There is another current salmonella outbreak linked to cucumbers that has already left 45 people sick and 16 hospitalized across 18 states.
    Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 9 June 2025
  • Some of the samples tested positive for Salmonella and additional testing found that the samples were closely related to the Salmonella found in sick people.
    Amber Brenza, Health, 8 June 2025
Adjective
  • These groups offer excellent opportunities to meet new contacts, stay informed about industry developments, and even discover unadvertised job openings.
    Johnny C. Taylor Jr, USA Today, 17 June 2025
  • And excellent retail in turn should entice people to choose one store over another and visit often.
    Phil Wahba, Fortune, 17 June 2025
Verb
  • Prosecutors say Read backed into O’Keefe with her Lexus SUV in a drunken rage after dropping him off at the home for a house party and then left him to die outside during a historic blizzard.
    Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 7 June 2025
  • The Dodgers stacked the infield with five players, leaving left field open — and that’s where Arenado hit the ball, dropping it just inside the foul line to score Barrero.
    Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 7 June 2025
Verb
  • The applause the crowd gave Yim was swallowed up by the cathedral’s size and our sparse numbers, but she was visibly moved.
    Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 6 June 2025
  • Don't swallow water when swimming in pools, lakes, or other water areas.
    Janelle McSwiggin, Health, 6 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/down. Accessed 20 Jun. 2025.

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