DOWNRIGHT Synonyms: 221 Similar and Opposite Words

downright 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of downright

as in abrupt

being or characterized by direct, brief, and potentially rude speech or manner rural folks are often known for their downright speech, as they are generally not ones to beat around the bush

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in sheer

having no exceptions or restrictions that's a downright lie, and you know it

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

downright

2 of 2

adverb

as in absolutely

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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 downright

Adjective

The humidity becomes downright oppressive on Friday in the Philadelphia region and stays like that through the evening. — Bill Kelly, CBS News, 12 June 2026 The superstar singer walked into Madison Square Garden Wednesday night for the Knicks-Spurs game wearing a shirt that expressed colorful allegiance to the New York team and downright affection for singer Stevie Nicks, one of her musical role models. — Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 11 June 2026

Adverb

But for some people, sweating too much becomes downright obtrusive, stressful and even embarrassing. — Alexandra Frost, USA Today, 2 Aug. 2026 The lower gravity might make that somewhat less intimidating, but the waves will also move more slowly as well, feeling downright eerie compared with Earth’s. — Phil Plait, Scientific American, 31 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for downright

Recent Examples of Synonyms for downright

Adjective

Peach growers have expressed frustration and disappointment to The Sacramento Bee following the Del Monte bankruptcy, sharing that their businesses have taken significant hits after the abrupt cannery closure.

— Lizzie Kane, Sacbee.com, 8 Aug. 2026
Reeve will replace interim Geoff Parkin who took over after the abrupt resignation of Nick Merriman due to family health issues in 2025.

— Amah-Rose Abrams, ARTnews.com, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of abrupt

Adjective

Other governments, including the US, have their own rules and disclosure requirements, but beyond the breadth of the controls in China, the sheer number of people affected is striking – and reaches far beyond civil servants.

— Sylvie Zhuang, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026
Just look at the new stand — the sheer size of it shows the club’s ambition.

— Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of sheer

Adverb

Schumer has been corrupted absolutely in his quest for power.

— Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 14 Aug. 2026
New Castle and other towns in Henry County are under a red travel warning, and officials are asking residents to stay in their homes unless absolutely necessary.

— Jen Guadarrama, IndyStar, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of absolutely

Adjective

The medical examiner’s office ruled the manner of death as a homicide and the cause of death to be blunt force trauma to the head at the time of the killing, according to the arrest report.

— Avni Trivedi, CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2026
According to the blunt John Adams, the American Revolution began before the war with Britain, in the people’s minds and hearts, and Arendt situated those shifts in American town councils where citizens had debated local affairs.

— David Denby, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of blunt

Adjective

The utter carnage that follows brings major developments for all the main characters still on the chessboard — and many gruesome deaths by dragon fire, boiling oil, spikes and even catapults.

— Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 10 Aug. 2026
Tense football games tend to leave fans in utter distress, but not John Cena.

— Adrianne Reece, InStyle, 28 July 2026

Definition of utter

Adverb

Its double-wall insulation can keep your drink cold overnight and, ultimately, for as long as 24 hours.

— Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 July 2026
In 2018 the federation cold-messaged a Dublin bank worker named Roberto Lopes on LinkedIn, a part-time defender with Cape Verdean roots.

— André Martin, Fortune, 16 July 2026

Definition of cold

Adjective

However short its window, think of it as a bridge to help ease your wardrobe’s transition from warmer days to cooler ones.

— Andrea Zendejas, Vogue, 11 Aug. 2026
Three total solar eclipses within about two years occur because three separate Saros series happen to align over a short period.

— Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of short

Adjective

The scent wraps rose water, Damascena rose essence and absolute, and centifolia rose in soft, sweet notes of green almond, pink raspberry, and a touch of mauve violet.

— Jenny Berg, Vogue, 12 Aug. 2026
Stewart, having the absolute time of her life, allows the cool persona she’s cultivated across the modern indie scene to give way to an insecure brattiness that’s wonderfully refreshing.

— Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of absolute

Browse Nearby Words

downpours

downright

downs

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Cite this Entry

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“Downright.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downright. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of downright

adjective

adverb

Example Sentences

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