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 sheer
having no exceptions or restrictions
that's a downright lie, and you know it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in absolutely
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of downright
A.d. Amorosi, Variety, 11 Jan. 2026
Duncan in particular seems to get turned around a lot, and HBO’s final trailer promises plenty of action and, yes, some drama, but compared with the War Show vibe of the original GoT trailer, this is a downright comedy.
—Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 23 Dec. 2025
Zach Schonfeld, Pitchfork, 17 Apr. 2026
Unlike her comic book counterpart, who frequently pressured Wilson to leave his criminal empire behind, Zurer’s portrayal of Vanessa has been complicit — and downright integral — to Kingpin’s operations.
—Antonio Ferme, Variety, 15 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for downright
Adjective
Though Robby Hoddinott was responsible for the track’s prickly guitar lead, the backing of bassist-pal Dave Torbert from New Riders of the Purple Sage elevates Weir and the song’s rhythmic bottom to something uplifting and downright prancy.
—A.d. Amorosi, Variety, 11 Jan. 2026
Duncan in particular seems to get turned around a lot, and HBO’s final trailer promises plenty of action and, yes, some drama, but compared with the War Show vibe of the original GoT trailer, this is a downright comedy.
—Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 23 Dec. 2025
Adverb
Even by Souled American’s standards, these songs sound downright bummed.
—Zach Schonfeld, Pitchfork, 17 Apr. 2026
Unlike her comic book counterpart, who frequently pressured Wilson to leave his criminal empire behind, Zurer’s portrayal of Vanessa has been complicit — and downright integral — to Kingpin’s operations.
—Antonio Ferme, Variety, 15 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for downright
Recent Examples of Synonyms for downright
Adjective
-
Polling has found the general public felt the immigration enforcement operation in Minnesota went too far, a factor that may have contributed to the abrupt firing of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in early March.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
25 Apr. 2026
-
For audiences expecting a cradle-to-grave reckoning, that cutoff can feel abrupt.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
But the 6-foot-5 Dennis-Sutton’s potential and sheer agility are off the charts, at his size.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
25 Apr. 2026
-
The format has its limitations, though — the most obvious for fans with an inclination to ship is the sheer inability to develop romantic relationships over the course of a season.—
Payton Turkeltaub,
Variety,
25 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
Zack Bolduc and Cole Caufield, on the power play, had spotted Montreal a 2-0 lead as the Bell Centre absolutely rocked again in the anticipation and hope that perhaps their team might take a 3-1 lead over the favoured Lightning.—
Arpon Basu,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Something that plays in the background during a late-spring Saturday cookout — you, scrolling on your phone down a long list of names, most of which mean absolutely nothing.—
Noah White,
Miami Herald,
26 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Lindsay-Abaire’s multidirectional repartee gets added zip from the first-rate cast, especially Margaret Colin as the unapologetically blunt Ruth.—
Sheldon Pearce,
New Yorker,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Investigators believe the victim died in 2006 or earlier from blunt force trauma, Tierney said.—
Eric Levenson,
CNN Money,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Everyone was right to describe the cans produced by Piero Manzoni, and dubbed Merda d’Artista, as utter crap.—
Mark Ellwood,
Robb Report,
28 Apr. 2026
-
These are songs of utter persistence, of utter utterness.—
New York Times,
New York Times,
28 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
It will be equipped to process and service new steel products coming down the line at Big River like galvanized and cold-rolled steel.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
30 Apr. 2026
-
The animals can recover from their cold-stunned state.—
Michelle Del Rey,
USA Today,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Poor sleep makes wrinkles look deeper, and consistently short nights accelerate visible aging.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Kansas City Star,
27 Apr. 2026
-
This interactive project looks at the impact of warmer, shorter winters on regions all over the country, from less ice fishing in Minnesota and fewer ski days in Colorado to drying reservoirs in the Southwest and more ticks and mosquitoes in the Northeast.—
Phaedra Trethan,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
With Trump, these oppositions are never absolute.—
Fintan O’Toole,
The New York Review of Books,
25 Apr. 2026
-
The offense came up with timely hits early, Garrett Crochet was back to being Garrett Crochet and in the top of the ninth, the Red Sox erupted in epic fashion, scoring 10 runs to turn what was already a blowout into an absolute laugher.—
Mac Cerullo,
Hartford Courant,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Downright.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downright. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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