1
as in sloppy
lacking neatness in dress or person
a dowdy old matron
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in inappropriate
marked by an obvious lack of style or good taste
the dowdy, beat-up furniture at the cheap motel
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples 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 dowdy
The refresh of what was a dowdy waterfront area into a high-cost residential section is called the Waterfront di Levante project.
—
Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 24 Sep. 2024
Sara, a dowdy lonely tax inspector determined on retirement, has the chance to go out in glory, proving a Latina pop star is guilty of tax evasion.
—John Hopewell, Variety, 20 Sep. 2024
Sweeney plays against type as a meek, dowdy wife fighting to find her voice.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 8 Sep. 2024
If my headlamp had been a bit more dowdy and old-fashioned—say, if it were fitted out with Energizer batteries—that would have made my life a little better.
—Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 31 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for dowdy 
Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 24 Sep. 2024
Sara, a dowdy lonely tax inspector determined on retirement, has the chance to go out in glory, proving a Latina pop star is guilty of tax evasion.
—John Hopewell, Variety, 20 Sep. 2024
Sweeney plays against type as a meek, dowdy wife fighting to find her voice.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 8 Sep. 2024
If my headlamp had been a bit more dowdy and old-fashioned—say, if it were fitted out with Energizer batteries—that would have made my life a little better.
—Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 31 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for dowdy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dowdy
Adjective
-
Not rotating cushions can lead to uneven use patterns—especially around the center of chairs or the edges of sofas—which can then make cushions look saggy, sloppy, or worn out.Rabekah Henderson, Southern Living, 19 Nov. 2024
-
Buffalo Bills 30, Indianapolis Colts 20: The Bills overcame an uncharacteristically sloppy performance from Josh Allen to push past the pesky Colts.Jim Reineking, USA TODAY, 11 Nov. 2024
Adjective
-
Refuse to let anyone talk you into something inappropriate or expensive.Eugenia Last, The Mercury News, 11 Nov. 2024
-
With nowhere else to turn, Gregory calls his dad for honest advice, hoping to find one person who agrees that fighting a student’s parent would be inappropriate.Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 6 Nov. 2024
Adjective
-
By Stephanie Zacharek November 1, 2024 10:39 AM EDT Robert Zemeckis’ Here is the most unfashionable movie of 2024—which is exactly what’s beautiful about it.Stephanie Zacharek, TIME, 1 Nov. 2024
-
Betty Ford’s brand of bipartisan feminism was already becoming increasingly unfashionable.Elizabeth Rees / Made by History, TIME, 1 Nov. 2024
Adjective
-
Sofia’s haircut is an early sign of her rebellion; a shaggy mullet that calls back to Jane Fonda in the 1970s thriller Klute.Gavia Baker-Whitelaw, Vulture, 4 Nov. 2024
-
Style insiders are going all in on the look, too; fashion month’s crowds were awash in brushed knits, and New Yorkers of all stripes have pulled out their shaggiest jumpers as sweater weather has descended upon the city.Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 4 Nov. 2024
Adjective
-
The state purchased the area in 1929 after settlers cleared much of the land for farming but found the soil unsuitable.Karl Schneider, The Indianapolis Star, 13 Nov. 2024
-
The site borders the Sweetwater neighborhood, and the city of Bee Cave claims the industrial nature of the business park is unsuitable for neighboring residents, citing pollution, traffic and noise as issues that could arise.Samantha Greyson, Austin American-Statesman, 23 Aug. 2024
Adjective
-
Most wine lovers know that the word Sauvignon comes from the French word sauvage and the word blanc simply means white, but most people don’t know the reason is because when untrained vines of the variety have a distinctly unkempt appearance.Mike DeSimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 4 Nov. 2024
-
But, as in these United States, the key question remains whether creeping totalitarianism — from the left and the right — will squeeze everyday people out of their inalienable right to just be their sometimes obnoxious, unkempt, idiosyncratic selves.Ed Wallace, New York Daily News, 6 June 2024
Adjective
-
The piece is an antique that wasn't fashionable for many decades, but many jewels once considered fussy or unstylish have now been embraced again.Stephanie Petit, Peoplemag, 8 Dec. 2023
-
Slippery soles, cold toes, and unstylish footwear should be avoided at all costs.Roxanne Adamiyatt, Town & Country, 29 Dec. 2022
Adjective
-
Corruption within the organization, after all, is as much a part of the show as Jackson Lamb’s slovenly habits and horrible diet.Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2024
-
To them, flame is slovenly, backward, even atavistic, tolerable only when used for ceremonial purposes.Stephen Pyne, Scientific American, 16 Apr. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near dowdy
Cite this Entry
“Dowdy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dowdy. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share