1
as in dropping
to strike (someone) so forcefully as to cause a fall
downed his opponent with one stunning blow
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in sipping
to take into the stomach through the mouth and throat
downing slices of pizza and guzzling bottles of soda
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in dismissing
to reject by or as if by a vote
all attempts to ban indoor smoking had been downed by the town council
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of downing
Ukraine is also fielding increasing numbers of small interceptor drones which have had considerable success at downing Shaheds.
—
David Hambling, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Some like to get to the airport very early, with time for a full picnic, while others are dashing in at the last minute while downing a protein bar.
—Jessie Beck, AFAR Media, 16 Sep. 2025
The New England Patriots secured their first win of the season on Sunday, downing the Dolphins in Miami, 33-27 — a win that also gave head coach Mike Vrabel his maiden victory in his new job.
—Jon Vankin, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
The first instance of NATO nations downing drones came last week, when Polish and Dutch fighters destroyed three Russian drones over Poland.
—David Brennan, ABC News, 14 Sep. 2025
The drone was intercepted by two F-16 fighter jets, which were carrying out an air patrol mission in northern Dobruja and, according to the ministry, came close to downing it.
—Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 14 Sep. 2025
So Cali reached over, extracting it, before downing the rest.
—Bryan Washington, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2025
Tarnopolsky notes that downing creatine alongside a small portion of food may help prevent any stomachaches.
—Matt Fuchs, Time, 2 Sep. 2025
The visiting Cañoneros earned two points for defeating Los Angeles FC in penalties and downing Houston Dynamo last week.
—Kyle Kensing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Aug. 2025
David Hambling, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Some like to get to the airport very early, with time for a full picnic, while others are dashing in at the last minute while downing a protein bar.
—Jessie Beck, AFAR Media, 16 Sep. 2025
The New England Patriots secured their first win of the season on Sunday, downing the Dolphins in Miami, 33-27 — a win that also gave head coach Mike Vrabel his maiden victory in his new job.
—Jon Vankin, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
The first instance of NATO nations downing drones came last week, when Polish and Dutch fighters destroyed three Russian drones over Poland.
—David Brennan, ABC News, 14 Sep. 2025
The drone was intercepted by two F-16 fighter jets, which were carrying out an air patrol mission in northern Dobruja and, according to the ministry, came close to downing it.
—Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 14 Sep. 2025
So Cali reached over, extracting it, before downing the rest.
—Bryan Washington, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2025
Tarnopolsky notes that downing creatine alongside a small portion of food may help prevent any stomachaches.
—Matt Fuchs, Time, 2 Sep. 2025
The visiting Cañoneros earned two points for defeating Los Angeles FC in penalties and downing Houston Dynamo last week.
—Kyle Kensing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for downing
Verb
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John So, 45, was a relatively early cord-cutter, dropping his DirecTV cable subscription in 2020 in favor of the company’s less expensive streaming service.—
Maya Sweedler,
Twin Cities,
19 Sep. 2025
-
The designers, seated in front of a bank of windows with a jaw-dropping view of the East River and beyond, provided some insight into last month’s announcement of the inaugural Paul Smith’s Foundation x CFDA Designer-in-Residence.—
Jean E. Palmieri,
Footwear News,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
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She was seen sipping a glass of red wine at her birthday dinner party and blowing out the candles on her birthday cake.—
Escher Walcott,
PEOPLE,
13 Sep. 2025
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Adults can stroll the grounds sipping beer and wine, which are sold on site.—
Michael Deeds,
Idaho Statesman,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The panel, which Kennedy reshaped earlier this year by dismissing its members and appointing some vaccine skeptics, will convene Thursday and Friday in Atlanta.—
Adeola Adeosun
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Sep. 2025
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An Arizona inmate tricked court officials into releasing him more than two decades early by filing fake orders allegedly dismissing his charges.—
Suzanne Nuyen,
NPR,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Vaquer secured the pinfall after hitting a spiral tap.—
Josh Hammer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Sep. 2025
-
The Rockies, who snapped a five-game losing streak and won for just the second time in their last 13 games, won via timely hitting and stellar work by the bullpen.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
20 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Accidentally swallowing an apple seed—or even a few apple seeds—is unlikely to be dangerous.—
Heidi Moawad,
Verywell Health,
18 Sep. 2025
-
Your throat could be sore or painful while swallowing for a number of reasons.—
Hannah Yasharoff,
USA Today,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Europe experienced its most extensive flooding since 2013, Hurricane Helene brought catastrophic floods to parts of the US, killing at least 230 people, and extensive flooding in West and Central Africa led to around 1,500 deaths.—
Laura Paddison,
CNN Money,
18 Sep. 2025
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Eight-year-old Retal was severely injured when her home in Gaza City's al Zeitoun neighborhood was hit by shelling on July 5, 2025, killing her brother Karam, 12, and sister Judy, 10.—
Sarah Ferguson,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Demonstrators carried signs slamming Disney, ABC, the FCC and the TV station group owners who dealt the fatal blow to Kimmel by declaring that he would be preempted in heartland markets such as Nashville, New Orleans and Salt Lake City.—
Dan Doperalski,
Variety,
19 Sep. 2025
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But then, less than two years later, a punishing atmospheric river storm sent a large redwood tree crashing down the steep slopes of the forest, slamming into the main bridge and causing other damage to the new facilities.—
Paul Rogers,
Mercury News,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Consider drinking herbal tea, taking a hot shower, or reading before bed.—
Carrie Madormo,
Verywell Health,
17 Sep. 2025
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According to experts and research, there can be both pros and cons to drinking orange juice on an empty stomach.—
Sarah Garone,
Health,
17 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Downing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downing. Accessed 22 Sep. 2025.
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