DOWNING Synonyms: 97 Similar and Opposite Words

downing

verb

present participle of down

as in dropping

to strike (someone) so forcefully as to cause a fall downed his opponent with one stunning blow

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

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

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 downing The powerful storm swept through Chicago late Tuesday morning, downing large trees, and produced a 99-mph wind gust in nearby Gary, Indiana. — Ben Noll, Washington Post, 12 Aug. 2026 His penchant for downing bottles of wine throughout his life seemed reasonable. — Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 30 July 2026 In England, an 18-year-old woman suffered three cardiac arrests after downing 10 Jägerbombs, a cocktail that combines an energy drink with the spirit Jägermeister. — Ashley Okwuosa, STAT, 30 July 2026 The incident prompted Dee and Dennis to pay more attention to their health, but opted for a shortcut by downing supplements and expecting magic to happen. — Dennis Perkins, Entertainment Weekly, 28 July 2026 The powerful winds are capable of causing catastrophic damage to structures while downing trees and power lines, and producing prolonged power outages. — Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 6 July 2026 Chestnut is now an 18-time Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest champion after blowing out the competition once again, this time by downing 66 hot dogs and buns in Coney Island. — Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 4 July 2026 The Midwest, meanwhile, was recovering from a strong line of storms that tore through parts of Illinois, Indiana and northern Kentucky on Wednesday, bringing possible tornadoes, damaging homes, and downing trees and power lines in the region. — ABC News, 18 June 2026 Parts of Anne Arundel County were thrashed by high winds Friday night as a severe storm rolled through the area, downing trees and causing power outages. — Racquel Bazos, Baltimore Sun, 13 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for downing

Verb

The odds of the Clarity Act passing into law this year have plummeted in recent months on the Polymarket and Kalshi prediction platforms, dropping to around 20% from a peak of around 80% in the first few months of the year.

— Billy Bambrough, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2026
After using unconventional tactics, such as water-dropping helicopters, LAFD crews knocked down the fire and returned the property to Lineage for cleanup.

— Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of dropping

Verb

Though it’s made from activewear fabric, if your vacation itinerary demands a few nights out, this dress will work for dancing under palm trees and sipping sunset cocktails.

— Mariette Williams, Travel + Leisure, 13 Aug. 2026
Once in Alba, travelers are free to explore on their own, and there are plenty of culinary adventures to embark upon, from browsing seasonal markets, to sipping local wine in historic bars, and visiting artisanal chocolate shops.

— Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of sipping

Verb

Exxon was far from alone in its historical awareness of CO₂ and rigorous research into its ongoing ecological impacts—and in its subsequent shift toward dismissing or denying the veracity of its own science.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Aug. 2026
Developer Senko Rasic argued in post that went viral - that dismissing coding as never having been the hard part insults programmers.

— Josipa Majic Predin, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of dismissing

Verb

Jordan Walker extended his hitting streak to 10 games, the fourth streak of 10 of more games for him this season.

— CBS News, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026
Lee gave the Giants a 2-1 lead in the fifth by hitting his career-high ninth home run of the season, a solo shot that nearly landed in McCovey Cove.

— Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of hitting

Verb

Multiple generations of families died at Jonestown—grandmothers administered the deadly concoction to their screaming grandchildren before swallowing it themselves.

— James Kirchick, The Atlantic, 13 Aug. 2026
Its boxy fit was effortlessly slouchy without swallowing my frame, and its 100 percent cotton fabric felt thick, durable, and cool to the touch.

— Averi Baudler, PEOPLE, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of swallowing

Verb

Ukraine launched hundreds of drones across Russia Sunday, killing at least six people in one of Kyiv’s largest aerial attacks of the war.

— ABC News, ABC News, 16 Aug. 2026
Thompson’s killing outside a Midtown Manhattan hotel ignited a multistate manhunt that ended five days later, when police in Altoona, Pennsylvania, arrested Mangione in a McDonald’s.

— Kara Scannell, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of killing

Verb

Henry County officials are also investigating a possible tornado that moved through New Castle, Indiana, on Wednesday, toppling trees and ripping the roof off a commercial building.

— Michelle Simmons, ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026
Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley won the Democratic primary race for Wisconsin’s governorship, toppling his Democratic socialist opponent, Francesca Hong, who had surged in the polls leading up to Tuesday.

— Chantelle Lee, Time, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of toppling

Verb

If the bladder is already full and there’s nowhere to go, drinking even more fluid is only going to make the problem worse.

— Amber J. Tresca, Verywell Health, 14 Aug. 2026
By contrast, another participant recalled disagreeing with a friend who believed drinking soda and eating fast food was harmless, a belief the participant considered factually wrong.

— Andras Molnar, The Conversation, 13 Aug. 2026