downright

1 of 2

adverb

down·​right ˈdau̇n-ˌrīt How to pronounce downright (audio)
1
archaic : straight down
2
: absolutely sense 1a
downright handsome
downright mean
3
obsolete : forthright

downright

2 of 2

adjective

1
archaic : directed vertically downward
2
: outright, thorough
a downright lie
3
: plain, blunt
stories he had heard of her downright tongueAngus Wilson
downrightly adverb
downrightness noun

Examples of downright in a Sentence

Adverb The movie was downright stupid. It's very difficult, if not downright impossible. Adjective rural folks are often known for their downright speech, as they are generally not ones to beat around the bush that's a downright lie, and you know it
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Adverb
The Kansas Jayhawks basketball players were downright dejected after a one-point loss to West Virginia on New Year’s Eve at Allen Fieldhouse. Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 4 Jan. 2025 Regardless of who wins, social media will be abuzz with the postgame mayo shower, which is either good comedy or downright disgusting, depending on your tolerance for condiments getting poured on people. Dan Santaromita, The Athletic, 3 Jan. 2025
Adjective
The more than two decades since Half-Life 2's release have been filled with plenty of rumors and hints about Half-Life 3, ranging from the official-ish to the thin to the downright misleading. Ars Technica, 2 Jan. 2025 There’s a corrupt teacher who, while not quite as downright evil as the serial killer that was Mark Jefferson in the first game, has done some pretty bad things in the pursuit of recognition. Ryan Easby, Rolling Stone, 22 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for downright 

Word History

First Known Use

Adverb

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1530, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of downright was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near downright

Cite this Entry

“Downright.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/downright. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

downright

1 of 2 adverb
down·​right -ˌrīt How to pronounce downright (audio)
: in a complete and absolute manner
that was downright stupid

downright

2 of 2 adjective
1
: absolute sense 3, utter
a downright lie
2
: outspoken, blunt
downright country people
downrightly adverb
downrightness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on downright

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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