1
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in utter
having no exceptions or restrictions
that's a downright lie, and you know it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in absolutely
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 downright
Vinson Cunningham, The New Yorker, 13 Sep. 2024
While downright decadent at times, thanks to the gourmet food and drink en route, the Tour du Mont-Blanc (TMB), 103 miles of hiking that circles Mont Blanc and passes through France, Italy, and Switzerland, is no pushover.
—Doug Mayer, Outside Online, 15 Feb. 2023
Bret Stephens, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024
This may explain why over half of U.S. consumers (54%) feel cautious about advances in AI, 49% feel concerned—and 22% feel downright scared.
—Greg Brunk, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for downright 
Adjective
This Saturday-morning getup—little brother gets sharp—counts as downright dressy for McAfee, who, in the course of the past few years, has become one of ESPN’s most visible sports-talking stars.
—Vinson Cunningham, The New Yorker, 13 Sep. 2024
While downright decadent at times, thanks to the gourmet food and drink en route, the Tour du Mont-Blanc (TMB), 103 miles of hiking that circles Mont Blanc and passes through France, Italy, and Switzerland, is no pushover.
—Doug Mayer, Outside Online, 15 Feb. 2023
Adverb
First, the conviction among many liberals that things were pretty much fine, if not downright great, in Biden’s America — and that anyone who didn’t think that way was either a right-wing misinformer or a dupe.
—Bret Stephens, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024
This may explain why over half of U.S. consumers (54%) feel cautious about advances in AI, 49% feel concerned—and 22% feel downright scared.
—Greg Brunk, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for downright
Recent Examples of Synonyms for downright
Adjective
-
This abrupt change, of course, undermines acceptance of the consumer welfare principle by foreign competition enforcers.Alden Abbott, Forbes, 26 Nov. 2024
-
The abrupt resignations of Ronald McFadden and Shantell Roberts, the two ranking members of the Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners, were announced Tuesday by the board.Dan Belson, Baltimore Sun, 19 Nov. 2024
Adjective
-
Scott has long enjoyed making men in positions of power look like utter fools.Esther Zuckerman, TIME, 22 Nov. 2024
-
Batman’s comedic Technicolor stylings — and the utter sincerity with which stars Adam West and Burt Ward led viewers through them — have lived on through countless references and parodies in the ensuing decades, as well as a mercurial relationship with Batman fans.Joshua Rivera, Vulture, 13 Nov. 2024
Adverb
-
If not clear already: This camera is absolutely not for fussy photographers.Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Nov. 2024
-
Every microsecond counts, and data needs to be trusted absolutely; win-or-lose decisions depend on it.Hugo Feiler, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024
Adjective
-
The revelation, along with a blunt critique of then-President Donald Trump, quickly attracted media attention for its unfiltered nature.David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024
-
But despite the blunt warning about One Tree Hill, Lenz didn’t want to give up her pursuit of the show.Shania Russell, EW.com, 21 Oct. 2024
Adjective
-
The sheer scale of phones used in the study let the researchers correct individual bias by comparing the devices against each other.Mack DeGeurin, Popular Science, 13 Nov. 2024
-
The sheer number of cyclists snarled traffic and prompted restrictions by the city's tourism-hungry officials, who had encouraged them to come.Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 12 Nov. 2024
Adverb
-
For this 100 percent Cab Franc wine, the grapes are hand harvested and cold soaked for two days before inoculation with native yeast.Mike DeSimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 24 Oct. 2024
-
The two teams were tied at 17-17 after a first quarter that saw the Buckeyes go cold late, shooting two for 11 to close the period.Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 19 Dec. 2023
Adjective
-
Despite our efforts, recent studies show that today's generation of children might have a shorter lifespan than their parents — something that hasn’t happened in two centuries.Fred Sassani, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
-
Arizona is short thousands of mental health care professionals.Joanna Allhands, The Arizona Republic, 22 Nov. 2024
Adjective
-
The trickiest part of roasting the absolute tastiest turkey is brining it.Catherine Jessee, Southern Living, 23 Nov. 2024
-
The songs recorded for what became Big Star’s mythical third LP run the whole gamut from absolute heartbreak to unfettered joy.Liza Lentini, SPIN, 22 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near downright
Cite this Entry
“Downright.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downright. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share