as in prairie
a broad area of level or rolling treeless country
hold a festival on the downs
Synonyms & Similar Words
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1
as in drops
to strike (someone) so forcefully as to cause a fall
downed his opponent with one stunning blow
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in sips
to take into the stomach through the mouth and throat
downing slices of pizza and guzzling bottles of soda
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in dismisses
to reject by or as if by a vote
all attempts to ban indoor smoking had been downed by the town council
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of downs
Zak Keefer, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
But on a day when Mizzou amassed 595 total yards, converted 4 of 5 fourth downs and got an excellent effort from first-year starting quarterback Beau Pribula, surrendering possession had to fill Kansas followers with a sense of dread.
—Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 7 Sep. 2025
The ball slipped through Mason’s hands, and what would have been a touchdown turned into a turnover on downs, effectively ending the 49ers’ comeback hopes.
—Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 7 Sep. 2025
Smith has been by the hip-hop legend's side for much of his career, and LL Cool J has supported her through various ups and downs, including the launch of her own jewelry line and her bone cancer diagnosis.
—Vandana Pawa, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025
The Packers held a 178-123 edge in total yards and went 4-for-6 on third downs.
—Rob Reischel, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
Lewis, the five-star recruit and the people’s choice, looked good handing off and terrified on obvious passing downs.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 7 Sep. 2025
The 49ers turned the ball over on downs in the second quarter and 49ers quarterback Grayson Loftis threw an interception to North Carolina’s Greg Smith to end their drive.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 7 Sep. 2025
After leading 14-0 at halftime, Rancho Bernardo fumbled on their second-half opening drive before forcing Brawley to turn the ball over on downs on the ensuing drive.
—The San Diego Union Tribune, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Aug. 2025
Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 20 Aug. 2025
Noun
That’s a hard reality to stomach for Giants fans, who had to watch their offense go 4-for-16 on third downs, pile up just 157 passing yards and finish with six points in an ugly loss to the Commanders.
—Zak Keefer, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
But on a day when Mizzou amassed 595 total yards, converted 4 of 5 fourth downs and got an excellent effort from first-year starting quarterback Beau Pribula, surrendering possession had to fill Kansas followers with a sense of dread.
—Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 7 Sep. 2025
The ball slipped through Mason’s hands, and what would have been a touchdown turned into a turnover on downs, effectively ending the 49ers’ comeback hopes.
—Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 7 Sep. 2025
Smith has been by the hip-hop legend's side for much of his career, and LL Cool J has supported her through various ups and downs, including the launch of her own jewelry line and her bone cancer diagnosis.
—Vandana Pawa, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025
The Packers held a 178-123 edge in total yards and went 4-for-6 on third downs.
—Rob Reischel, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
Lewis, the five-star recruit and the people’s choice, looked good handing off and terrified on obvious passing downs.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 7 Sep. 2025
The 49ers turned the ball over on downs in the second quarter and 49ers quarterback Grayson Loftis threw an interception to North Carolina’s Greg Smith to end their drive.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 7 Sep. 2025
After leading 14-0 at halftime, Rancho Bernardo fumbled on their second-half opening drive before forcing Brawley to turn the ball over on downs on the ensuing drive.
—The San Diego Union Tribune, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Aug. 2025
Verb
In between questions about Nineties cultural touchstones like Friends, Space Jam, Beavis and Butthead, the Spice Girls, and Sir-Mix-A-Lot — during which Kravitz racks up a lot of points and Butler downs a lot of shots — the pair also discusses working on Caught Stealing.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 20 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for downs
Noun
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Hikers will pass by Texas persimmon trees and bluestem prairie grass, with armadillos and rabbits popping in and out of the wilderness.—
Brayden Garcia,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Dune and swale systems are globally rare; this topographic variation — upland in the dunes, lowland in the swales — combines with the region’s unique confluence of biomes — particularly oak savanna, prairie and wetlands — to pack a lot of biodiversity into the preserve’s 42 acres.—
Adriana Pérez,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Every week, Netflix drops a bunch of new content for viewers to stream from TV and movie studios all over the world.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Katie Wiseman The second the temperature drops below 75, some Hoosiers are ready to get their favorite sweaters.—
Katie Wiseman,
IndyStar,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Ashton also dismisses the concerns that a three-year degree lacks the many electives and opportunities for self-discovery.—
Bryan Penprase,
Forbes.com,
26 Aug. 2025
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Trump's approach dismisses collective security and weakens NATO's cohesion.—
Gordon G. Chang,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Some invasive ornamental grasses include pampas grass, Mexican feather grass, and fountaingrass.—
Miranda Crowell,
Better Homes & Gardens,
16 Aug. 2025
-
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia CNN — Grasslands — also known as prairies, steppes, pampas or savannas — are home to 25% of the world’s population and all kinds of plants and wildlife, including elephants, rhinos and lions.—
Jacopo Prisco,
CNN,
6 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Taroko Gorge, however, carves breathtaking grandeur from marble stone; a natural cathedral of cliffs, where suspension bridges sway above rapids and swallows dart through narrow canyons.—
Lewis Nunn,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
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Neurocysticercosis occurs after a person swallows pork tapeworm eggs, according to the CDC.—
Deirdre Bardolf,
FOXNews.com,
9 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The front row already included senior outside hitter Tenley Davis, a Loyola commit with a team-high 180 kills this season, and junior outside hitter Luca Bombacino, a Michigan commit with 170 kills.—
Dave Melton,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Sep. 2025
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Novartis’s radioligand therapy targets mutations in tumors, delivering radiation only where it is needed, unlike ordinary radiotherapy which kills non-cancerous cells as well as cancerous ones.—
semafor.com,
semafor.com,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The property with its myriad gardens is also threaded with six miles of trails for walking or cycling that course beside the river and wander through meadows and forests.—
Jeanine Barone,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
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In a remote Colorado meadow, flying insect populations have plummeted over 70% in just 20 years.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Lightning hits the United States approximately 25 million times annually.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
6 Sep. 2025
-
Lightning hits the United States approximately 25 million times annually.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
5 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Downs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downs. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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