lowering 1 of 4

adjective

ˈlau̇-(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce lowering (audio)
variants also louring
Definition of loweringnext
1
as in hazy
covered over by clouds the lowering sky made us think twice about going to the park

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2
as in stern
harsh and threatening in manner or appearance we chose our next words carefully, mindful of the lowering expression on his face

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lowering

2 of 4

noun

as in decrease

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lowering

3 of 4

verb (1)

present participle of lower
1
as in throwing
to cause to fall intentionally or unintentionally workmen slowly lowered the heavy statue into place

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2
as in plunging
to go to a lower level especially abruptly prices of the new type of televisions lowered considerably as competition and sales increased

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3
as in reducing
to make smaller in amount, volume, or extent decided to lower his career ambitions to something more achievable

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4
as in decreasing
to grow less in scope or intensity especially gradually the noise of the jet engine lowered as the plane disappeared in the distance

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5
as in humiliating
to reduce to a lower standing in one's own eyes or in others' eyes how could you lower yourself by passing off someone else's work as your own?

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6
as in sinking
to diminish the price or value of over time, inflation lowers incomes and savings in terms of actual buying power

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lowering

4 of 4

verb (2)

variants also louring
present participle of lower
1
as in darkening
to take on a gloomy or forbidding look the sky lowered overhead, threatening a fierce thunderstorm

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2
as in staring
to look with anger or disapproval the motorist lowered at the jerk who had cut in front of her

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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 lowering
Noun
Big sales were needed, and a lowering of the squad-cost base was also necessary. — Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 24 July 2026 There are also quality of life improvements such as the lowering of the turn-signal volume (which didn't bother me, but was the first negative thing my wife said about the R2). — Anthony Karcz, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026 This Editorial Board has long advocated for an overall lowering of taxes across the board. — The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 14 July 2026 Other research has shown the popular drugs might reduce heart disease and breast cancer that may be related to the weight loss, or a lowering of inflammation. — Stephanie Stahl, CBS News, 18 June 2026 That includes Germany’s temporary lowering of fuel taxes, which runs through June 30. — David McHugh, Los Angeles Times, 15 June 2026 However, most others require a lowering of expectations and full use of something almost all humans lack — patience. — Jamie Carter, Space.com, 28 Apr. 2026 Part of the lowering of the times is about improvements in training, nutrition and technique. — ABC News, 26 Apr. 2026 There was also a significant lowering in systolic and diastolic blood pressure for those aged 60 or older. — Vanessa Caceres, Verywell Health, 31 Mar. 2026
Verb
Despite Villa reaching their zenith under Emery in May, there was a growing argument to undergo a stable transitional phase, providing youthful impetus and appearing proactive, rather than reactive, in lowering the age of the squad. — Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 11 Aug. 2026 Move the person to a cooler place, try lowering their temperature with cooler clothes or a cool bath, and don't give the person additional liquid to drink. — Michael Autovino, CBS News, 10 Aug. 2026 Only by conditioning incremental cooperation on tangible evidence that North Korea is effectively lowering the risks of conflict can China convert its economic advantages into substantive regional influence. — Zheng Jiyong, Foreign Affairs, 10 Aug. 2026 Harvard Health’s Mindscape notes the rhythmic pattern helps regulate the nervous system, lowering heart rate and blood pressure while increasing focus. — Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Aug. 2026 This aerodynamic effect allows the unit to generate far higher propulsive force relative to its physical surface area, directly lowering fuel usage and engine emissions. — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 9 Aug. 2026 The purchase, however, took months to pull together, with the sellers even lowering their asking price and giving Vercellino and Mapes time to make the transaction work. — Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 9 Aug. 2026 This was accomplished in part by lowering operating costs — meaning the business of detaining people is becoming cheaper — and because of more people being put in detention. — Vanessa Romo, NPR, 8 Aug. 2026 Putting a larger down payment toward a home purchase reduces your mortgage loan amount, lowering your monthly payments and total interest costs. — Deane Biermeier, USA Today, 8 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lowering
  1. hazy
  2. stern
  3. decrease
  4. throwing
  5. plunging
  6. reducing
  7. decreasing
  8. humiliating
Adjective
  • Crews battled a large fire at a scrap metal yard in North Philadelphia's Hunting Park neighborhood Sunday night, sending thick, hazy smoke into the sky and raising concerns among neighbors who say problems at the property have persisted for years.
    — Eva Andersen, CBS News, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Across the hall, in a lavender family room, a vintage TV installation by Jennifer stands in a corner playing hazy family videos and iconic cultural moments such as James Brown’s famously bizarre 1988 CNN interview on a loop.
    — Jewel Wicker, Architectural Digest, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of hazy
Adjective
  • The Indian government last month issued a stern warning to Instagram to remove child abuse ads on its platform that followed a warning to WhatsApp over the rollout of a username feature.
    — Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 7 Aug. 2026
  • According to Jane, Burke was generally a caring and attentive friend, but also stern.
    — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of stern
Noun
  • Most towns saw a decrease in Democratic turnout compared to 2018, but towns with competitive Congressional or state Democratic primaries were more likely to see an increase.
    — Angela Eichhorst, Hartford Courant, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Despite police data that shows a sustained decrease in CTA crime, the agency continues to take heat on safety.
    — Talia Soglin, Chicago Tribune, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of decrease
Verb
  • But the person most excited to play catch with his father, Ron, was Twins manager Derek Shelton, who wasn’t sure his arm would be capable after throwing Buxton batting practice Monday.
    — Dan Hayes, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
  • The 49ers beat the Titans in their last regular-season meeting in December, 37-24, with Purdy throwing three touchdowns and McCaffrey recording a rushing touchdown.
    — Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of throwing
Verb
  • The Iran war has put DP World on the back foot at home, with activity at Jebel Ali port in Dubai plunging some 90% after the Strait of Hormuz closed, the Financial Times reported.
    — Kelsey Warner, semafor.com, 10 Aug. 2026
  • The continent has suffered through four brutal heat waves since May, with temperatures smashing several national records and plunging the region further into drought.
    — Denise Chow, NBC news, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of plunging
Verb
  • Drought conditions are also fueling devastating, costly wildfires and reducing crop yields, threatening to push up food prices.
    — Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Reportedly this approach could boost reliability by reducing the number of mechanical components.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of reducing
Verb
  • Blue bands ranging from 90% to 25% show decreasing solar coverage across Europe, northern Africa, Canada and parts of the United States.
    — Raf Sanchez, NBC news, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Meanwhile, the decline in China’s agricultural labor force, driven by the migration of farmers to urban and industrial centers, is also decreasing productivity.
    — Caitlin Welsh, Foreign Affairs, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of decreasing
Verb
  • The Iranians are now setting the terms of this conflict and are routinely humiliating the American president.
    — Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 8 July 2026
  • Instead of demanding personal fealty or humiliating them to assert personal dominance, Lincoln absorbed their egos and occasional slights, elevating their talents and turning his fiercest political adversaries into his most devoted champions.
    — Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 24 June 2026
Definition of humiliating

Browse Nearby Words

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lowering
lowermost
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Cite this Entry

“Lowering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lowering. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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