1
as in sloppy
lacking neatness in dress or person
a dowdy old matron
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dowdy
At 570 Fifth, on the corner of West 46th Street, a new tower will soon rise to replace an array of dowdy prewar holdouts.
—
Christopher Bonanos, Curbed, 2 July 2024
The roving camera seems to hunt Blanchett through her character’s London townhouse and hip industrial office space, both impeccably rendered in contrast with Stephen’s dowdy row house by production designer Neil Lamont and set decorator Pancho Chamorro.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 11 Oct. 2024
Shady events are a thing, too, as consumers are warned to beware of losing good money buying tickets for fake festivals, dowdy parties and counterfeit ticket scams.
—Susan Tompor, Detroit Free Press, 26 Sep. 2024
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
See all Example Sentences for dowdy 
Christopher Bonanos, Curbed, 2 July 2024
The roving camera seems to hunt Blanchett through her character’s London townhouse and hip industrial office space, both impeccably rendered in contrast with Stephen’s dowdy row house by production designer Neil Lamont and set decorator Pancho Chamorro.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 11 Oct. 2024
Shady events are a thing, too, as consumers are warned to beware of losing good money buying tickets for fake festivals, dowdy parties and counterfeit ticket scams.
—Susan Tompor, Detroit Free Press, 26 Sep. 2024
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
See all Example Sentences for dowdy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dowdy
Adjective
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The fabric is breathable and lightweight without feeling thin or flimsy and the fit is slightly oversized, which gives it a relaxed and casual look that isn’t sloppy.—
Megan Schaltegger,
Travel + Leisure,
27 Jan. 2025
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In the week leading up to Donald Trump’s inauguration, a brief but sloppy food fight broke out between the Trump team and the outgoing Biden administration over who deserves credit for finalizing a cease-fire deal in the Gaza Strip.—
Noah Rothman,
National Review,
24 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Bad reviews, inappropriate comments and shabby online engagements have the opposite effect and can potentially leave a permanent mark against the company name.—
Dmitry Malin,
Forbes,
21 Jan. 2025
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In stark contrast, Lauren Sanchez's choice of a white suit with a visible lace corset was inappropriate for the occasion, earning a notably low score in dress and presence.—
Kristen Waggoner,
Newsweek,
21 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Frisco hooded peacoat: $15.19 Dog coats don’t need to be unfashionable.—
Christopher Murray,
Fox News,
16 Jan. 2025
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Iceland’s entry is radical in its unfashionable straightforwardness.—
Scott Roxborough,
The Hollywood Reporter,
10 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Continue on with Banana Republic’s shaggy knit cardigan, a pair of knee-high boots from Jeffrey Campbell, and finally, H&M’s leopard-print ’90s bag.—
Laura Jackson,
Vogue,
9 Jan. 2025
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And there's an endearingly shaggy side to this film, all the more shocking given its then-record cost.—
Darren Franich,
EW.com,
7 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The following year, regulators ruled that the company is unsuitable to operate its casinos in Sydney and Queensland, placing them under government supervision.—
Yessar Rosendar,
Forbes,
20 Jan. 2025
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That's because Blue Origin aims to recover the first stage of the New Glenn rocket, and sea states in the Atlantic Ocean have been unsuitable for an initial attempt to catch the first stage booster on a drone ship.—
Eric Berger,
Ars Technica,
11 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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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
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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
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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
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Slippery soles, cold toes, and unstylish footwear should be avoided at all costs.—
Roxanne Adamiyatt,
Town & Country,
29 Dec. 2022
Adjective
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Slough House is headed by the slovenly, flatulent, and frequently intoxicated Jackson Lamb (Gary Oldman), who routinely heaps verbal abuse on his staff but is nonetheless a brilliant spymaster in his own smelly way.—
Ars Technica,
Ars Technica,
24 Dec. 2024
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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
Thesaurus Entries Near dowdy
Cite this Entry
“Dowdy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dowdy. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.
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