as in staunch
firm in one's allegiance to someone or something
a down-the-line supporter of the Republican Party
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in down to the ground
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example 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 down-the-line
Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 7 Nov. 2025
Alcaraz toyed with an unconventional wide position on serve, which opened up an even more extreme angle for him; Sinner began slinging those returns down-the-line.
—Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2025
With Sinner serving at 2-9, Alcaraz ripped a down-the-line forehand winner to capture the match and fell to the court on his back.
—Adam Zagoria, Forbes.com, 8 June 2025
Francisco Lindor followed with a down-the-line single to bring another run for the Mets (38-22).
—Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2025
Any preconceived idea that the 50-year-old might be a cold, straight-down-the-line manager who plays it safe has been dispelled.
—Matt Woosnam, The Athletic, 18 Feb. 2025
Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 1 Apr. 2026
The strategy could make sense with the Cowboys having the fourth-most future cap space (beyond 2026) dedicated to void year money -- or contract money that’s been pushed down the line to maximize current years.
—Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Apr. 2026
Cudi even offered his services to executive produce an album for Jenner if the beauty mogul ever wanted to release an LP down the line.
—Michael Saponara, Billboard, 31 Mar. 2026
That doesn’t disqualify it from cult status down the line.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 31 Mar. 2026
Wiemer scampered down the line for an infield single and had another base hit up the middle in Washington's 13-2 win on Monday over the Phillies to tie the record.
—Logan Brown, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
Are there some groups or pairs that stick with you years down the line?
—Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 26 Mar. 2026
Two spots down the line, Al Yellon, 69, was attending his 49th opening day at Wrigley.
—Andrew Carter, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026
That could create some friction for regular customers, but Gerjets said the option could be added down the line.
—Gabrielle Fonrouge, CNBC, 24 Mar. 2026
Adjective
Sadly, there was no space for her in either the main categories or the down-the-line spots.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 7 Nov. 2025
Alcaraz toyed with an unconventional wide position on serve, which opened up an even more extreme angle for him; Sinner began slinging those returns down-the-line.
—Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2025
With Sinner serving at 2-9, Alcaraz ripped a down-the-line forehand winner to capture the match and fell to the court on his back.
—Adam Zagoria, Forbes.com, 8 June 2025
Francisco Lindor followed with a down-the-line single to bring another run for the Mets (38-22).
—Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2025
Any preconceived idea that the 50-year-old might be a cold, straight-down-the-line manager who plays it safe has been dispelled.
—Matt Woosnam, The Athletic, 18 Feb. 2025
Adverb
SpaceX is now a dominant global player, and NASA is planning to lean heavily on the company — and its chief competitor, Blue Origin — later down the line in the Artemis program.
—Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 1 Apr. 2026
The strategy could make sense with the Cowboys having the fourth-most future cap space (beyond 2026) dedicated to void year money -- or contract money that’s been pushed down the line to maximize current years.
—Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Apr. 2026
Cudi even offered his services to executive produce an album for Jenner if the beauty mogul ever wanted to release an LP down the line.
—Michael Saponara, Billboard, 31 Mar. 2026
That doesn’t disqualify it from cult status down the line.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 31 Mar. 2026
Wiemer scampered down the line for an infield single and had another base hit up the middle in Washington's 13-2 win on Monday over the Phillies to tie the record.
—Logan Brown, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
Are there some groups or pairs that stick with you years down the line?
—Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 26 Mar. 2026
Two spots down the line, Al Yellon, 69, was attending his 49th opening day at Wrigley.
—Andrew Carter, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026
That could create some friction for regular customers, but Gerjets said the option could be added down the line.
—Gabrielle Fonrouge, CNBC, 24 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for down-the-line
Adjective
-
Kiswani has been a lightning rod for political controversy, even taking stands against Mayor Mamdani, the city’s first Muslim mayor and staunch proponent of Palestinian rights.—
Rocco Parascandola,
New York Daily News,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Neither the United States nor Israel has accepted responsibility for the attack, which has come under staunch criticism from the United Nations and human rights groups.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Their steadfast belief in this very personal film and commitment to getting it on marquees means so much to me.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Fielder has been the sole democratic socialist on the board and a steadfast advocate for progressive causes, often voting against Lurie’s legislative agenda and the board’s moderate majority bloc.—
Alyce McFadden,
San Francisco Chronicle,
29 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
After the synagogue’s board voted to dismiss the cantor, scores of families who were loyal to him left.—
Eyal Press,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Special thanks to all of our loyal customers!—
Matt Schooley,
CBS News,
29 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
There was no true striker for England.—
Jack Pitt-Brooke,
New York Times,
1 Apr. 2026
-
The Full Moon highlights your 4th House of Traditions, nudging you to think about what makes your residence a true home base.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Another newcomer, closer Pete Fairbanks, the Marlins’ $13 million free-agent splurge, finished the game in good fashion.—
Dave Hyde,
Sun Sentinel,
28 Mar. 2026
-
A level head will be your best asset.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Elaborate processions carrying life-sized statues of Jesus and Mary unfold worldwide, from Seville to Miami’s Wynwood, as faithful enact rituals spanning centuries.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Apr. 2026
-
William Boon Redman's marker is under the watchful eye of one such faithful companion, but the model for the stone dog lying alongside Redman's grave is not buried beneath the canine monument.—
Jennie Key,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
For devout followers of BTS, or their colleagues in groups like Blackpink and Stray Kids, sales figures and stream counts are not neutral matters of fact.—
Mitch Therieau,
New Yorker,
27 Mar. 2026
-
In addition to being a hysterical actor and writer, Wilson is a devout student of reality television and hosts the podcast Bitch Sesh about the Real Housewives franchise.—
Elizabeth Logan,
Glamour,
24 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Down-the-line.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/down-the-line. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
