down·right
ˈdau̇n-ˌrīt 
1
archaic
: straight down
2
: absolutely sense 1a
downright handsome
downright mean
3
obsolete
: forthright
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
Phaedra Trethan, USA TODAY, 21 Feb. 2025
That’s why social media accounts amass hundreds of thousands of followers by compiling unintentionally silly and downright embarrassing photos posted by mirror resellers.
—Hank Sanders, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2025
Tatiana Walk-Morris, Vox, 20 Feb. 2025
Even though it's marketed for mature skin, this radiance-in-a-jar makes folks of all ages look fresh, rested, and downright dewy.
—Vogue Club, Vogue, 5 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for downright
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Adverb
With their long necks and sparse feathering on their heads, vultures can be downright scary-looking, lacking the majesty of the bald eagle, the sleek style of ravens, the beauty of hawks.
—Phaedra Trethan, USA TODAY, 21 Feb. 2025
That’s why social media accounts amass hundreds of thousands of followers by compiling unintentionally silly and downright embarrassing photos posted by mirror resellers.
—Hank Sanders, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2025
Adjective
While hearing other people’s experiences on TikTok and Instagram can be helpful and occasionally empowering, some of the advice out there is downright misleading, Gomez says.
—Tatiana Walk-Morris, Vox, 20 Feb. 2025
Even though it's marketed for mature skin, this radiance-in-a-jar makes folks of all ages look fresh, rested, and downright dewy.
—Vogue Club, Vogue, 5 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for downright
Cite this Entry
“Downright.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/downright. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
downright
1 of 2 adverb
down·right
-ˌrīt
: in a complete and absolute manner
that was downright stupid
downright
2 of 2 adjective1
: absolute sense 3, utter
a downright lie
downrightly
adverb
downrightness
noun
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