downright

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'downright' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something or someone as unequivocal, absolute, or complete. For example, you could say "Her refusal to compromise was downright stubborn."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The anger will be directed at sections of the media who conducted a reckless, irresponsible, politically motivated, groundless and downright venomous campaign against Heathfield, and against Arthur Scargill, as leaders of the National Union of Mineworkers.

The Guardian - Opinion

And once you notice, it's downright eerie to hear the same arguments – about "out-of-touch elites" who don't connect with the tastes of "real people" – coming from the leader of Ukip and a guy who wrote a book called Summa Elvetica: A Casuistry of the Elvish Controversy.

The Guardian - Opinion

That word does not even get close to the downright venality, wickedness and cruelty on display.

The Guardian - Opinion

Still, in some cases the reasons why particular species are vanishing remains complex, contentious, and even downright baffling.

The Guardian

Braised brisket subs in for seared rib-eye, provolone for the typical Wiz or American cheese, while additions of horseradish mayo, hot peppers, roasted tomatoes and a fried egg are considered downright blasphemous.

The Guardian - Travel

The self-indulgent veneration in the media today of "natural childbirth" is downright offensive in a world where women still die every day because they don't have access to different childbirth options.

The Guardian - Opinion

While commenters were not blind to the problems, the virtues of a great many cities were extolled, sometimes in downright poetic terms.

The Guardian

Here, he sets out the mix of gothic horror and downright weirdness that makes up his cultural DNA… "I have been to see Alice Cooper about 20, 30 times.

The Guardian

The atmosphere in the camp is said to be excellent, with the Lionesses relishing Sampson's comparatively relaxed management style after Powell's more authoritarian and, sometimes, downright confrontational approach.

The Guardian - Sport

Sometimes it can feel that life is not so much capricious as downright cruel.

The Guardian - Sport

Back then, not only did this involve excruciating hours by the roadside, it was also downright dangerous, with risks ranging from crotch lunges – of which I recall a few – all the way to serial killers.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "downright" to add emphasis when describing something that is clearly and undeniably a certain way. For example, "The decision was downright unfair" highlights the unambiguous injustice.

Common error

Avoid using "downright" excessively in your writing, as it can become repetitive and weaken your message. Consider alternative intensifiers or rephrase the sentence to achieve the desired emphasis without relying on the word too heavily.

Linguistic Context

The word "downright" functions primarily as an intensifier, modifying adjectives or adverbs to emphasize the degree or extent of a quality. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use in amplifying negative attributes, such as "downright venomous" or "downright cruel."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Formal & Business

12%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "downright" is a versatile intensifier used to emphasize qualities or conditions, suitable for both adjectives and adverbs. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and frequently used. While primarily found in News & Media contexts, it also appears in Formal & Business writing. To avoid overuse, consider alternatives like "absolutely" or "completely". Ludwig's examples offer practical insights into its application. Be mindful of the context and choose the most fitting intensifier to convey your intended meaning effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

absolutely

Emphasizes the completeness or totality of something, similar to "downright" but with a slightly different nuance.

utterly

Indicates a complete or extreme degree, akin to "downright" in stressing the extent of a quality or action.

completely

Signifies the entirety of something, mirroring "downright" in conveying a sense of thoroughness or totality.

thoroughly

Implies a comprehensive or exhaustive manner, comparable to "downright" in emphasizing the extent or degree of something.

genuinely

Suggests authenticity and sincerity, close to "downright" when used to emphasize the true nature of something.

patently

Indicates that something is obvious or evident, similar to "downright" in conveying a clear and undeniable quality.

positively

Emphasizes the affirmative or certain nature of something, akin to "downright" in stressing the assuredness of a quality or action.

plainly

Signifies clarity and lack of ambiguity, mirroring "downright" in conveying a sense of straightforwardness.

frankly

Implies honesty and directness, comparable to "downright" in emphasizing the candid nature of something.

truly

Indicates the genuine or real nature of something, close to "downright" when used to emphasize the authenticity of a quality.

FAQs

How to use "downright" in a sentence?

Use "downright" to emphasize a quality or characteristic. For example, "His behavior was "downright rude"" or "The weather is "downright awful" today".

What can I say instead of "downright"?

You can use alternatives like "absolutely", "utterly", or "completely" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "downright rude" or "down right rude"?

"Downright" is a single word used as an intensifier. "Down right" (two words) is not typically used in the same context. Therefore, ""downright rude"" is the correct form.

What's the difference between "downright" and "simply"?

"Downright" suggests a more intense or extreme degree than "simply". While "simply" indicates something is straightforward or easy, "downright" emphasizes the undeniable or complete nature of something.