down·hill
ˌdau̇n-ˈhil 
1
: toward the bottom of a hill
2
: toward a worsened or inferior state or level
—used especially in the phrase go downhill
down·hill
ˈdau̇n-ˌhil
1
: a descending slope
2
a
: the sport of skiing on downhill trails
—often used attributively
b
: a skiing race against time down a trail
finished second in the downhill
down·hill
ˈdau̇n-ˌhil
1
: not difficult : easy
after that problem the rest was downhill
2
: sloping downhill
3
: closer to the bottom of an incline
your downhill ski
4
: progressively worse
5
American football
: relating to, employing, or being a style of running in which a ballcarrier moves powerfully forward into the line of scrimmage and down the field toward the opponent's end zone without a lot of movement toward the sidelines to avoid tacklers
a downhill runner
The Tigers use their tight ends as blockers. They're more suited to an assertive, downhill running game now.—
Bernie Miklasz
Bernie MiklaszSynonyms
Examples of downhill in a Sentence
Adverb
It is easier to ride a bike downhill than uphill.
Her career is heading downhill.
After his divorce, he went downhill fast.
The service has gone downhill under the new owner.
Noun
most runners will have their best splits on the downhills
Adjective
The second half of the hike is mostly downhill.
The worst part is over. It's all downhill from here.
The first part of the movie was pretty good, but after that it was all downhill.
His career has been all downhill in recent years.
Recent Examples on the Web
Michelle Bruton, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
Her 43 wins in downhill are the most by any skier, man or woman, as are her 28 wins in super-G.
Injuries took a toll on Vonn in the years leading up to her retirement, however.
—Rohan Nadkarni, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2024
Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press, 7 Nov. 2024
Thanks to a new liner and snugger fit, the 4-Quattro Pro was the best downhill performer in our test.
—Outside Editors, Outside Online, 11 Nov. 2024
Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, Fox News, 19 Nov. 2024
Back then, Mason was the kind of person who got excited about camera placement on a mountain to capture just the right shot as a downhill ski racer shushed past.
—Steven Zeitchik, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for downhill 
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Adverb
The cup winner will receive a trophy as well as $50,000 at an award ceremony following the Stifel Birds of Prey downhill and super-G races on December 14.
—Michelle Bruton, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
Her 43 wins in downhill are the most by any skier, man or woman, as are her 28 wins in super-G.
Injuries took a toll on Vonn in the years leading up to her retirement, however.
—Rohan Nadkarni, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2024
Noun
The central northern Michigan city is a downhill skiing mecca for a reason.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press, 7 Nov. 2024
Thanks to a new liner and snugger fit, the 4-Quattro Pro was the best downhill performer in our test.
—Outside Editors, Outside Online, 11 Nov. 2024
Adjective
Integrated sensors track wheel speed and incline, adjusting motor output automatically for uphill climbs and downhill descents.
—Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, Fox News, 19 Nov. 2024
Back then, Mason was the kind of person who got excited about camera placement on a mountain to capture just the right shot as a downhill ski racer shushed past.
—Steven Zeitchik, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for downhill
Dictionary Entries Near downhill
Cite this Entry
“Downhill.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/downhill. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
downhill
1 of 3 adverb
down·hill
ˌdau̇n-ˈhil
1
: toward the bottom of a hill
sleds speeding downhill
2
: toward a worsened or lower state or level
her health went downhill quickly
downhill
2 of 3 adjective
down·hill
ˈdau̇n-ˌhil
: sloping downhill
downhill
3 of 3 noun
down·hill
-ˌhil
1
: the sport of skiing on downhill trails
downhill skiing
2
: a skiing race against time down a trail
finished second in the downhill
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