downright ignore

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "downright ignore" is not standard in written English and may sound awkward.
It can be used to emphasize the act of ignoring something completely, but it is more common to use "outright" instead of "downright." Example: "He chose to downright ignore the warnings about the storm."

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The Stormont parliament is stacked wall-to-wall with greying men who ridicule, disparage or downright ignore any call for equality.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

But even when hate crimes are reported, they're often handled inappropriately, if not downright ignored.

The Guardian - Opinion

More than policy specifics (both Romney and Obama avoided or downright ignored many of the actual questions asked), Cassidy says, the latest debate revealed something more personal about each of the candidates.

The New Yorker

E-mail address GO SIGN UP Share Tweet More than policy specifics (both Romney and Obama avoided or downright ignored many of the actual questions asked), Cassidy says, the latest debate revealed something more personal about each of the candidates.

The New Yorker

Downright Neglect.

Huffington Post

To argue Australia doesn't have a revenue problem is to ignore reality and frankly is downright concerning from someone who holds the position of treasurer of Australia.

The Guardian

Worse, some indices are pointless or downright misleading.In this section Welcome back to Washington Temple madness Marijuana milestone Big bazookas How to lie with indices ReprintsAs easy as 1, 2, 3Which to trust, and which to ignore?

The Economist

Ignore; ignore.

The New Yorker

Popular notations for functional requirements specifications frequently ignore developers' needs, target specific development models, or require translation of requirements into tests for verification; the results can give out-of-sync or downright incompatible artifacts.

Computer Languages, Systems & Structures

That's downright wacky for sure, and ignores the truth.

Huffington Post

She said she had tried talking to parents, but some ignored her or were "downright rude".

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "downright ignore", consider if a more common synonym like "completely ignore" or "blatantly disregard" might be clearer and more impactful for your audience. Using more common synonyms can make the text more accessible to a broader audience.

Common error

Avoid using "downright ignore" too frequently in your writing. While it's not incorrect, overusing it can make your writing sound repetitive or unnatural. Instead, diversify your vocabulary with synonyms to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "downright ignore" functions as a verb phrase that intensifies the action of ignoring. As confirmed by Ludwig, it suggests a complete and blatant disregard. The examples provided by Ludwig illustrate how it is used to describe deliberate acts of ignoring.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "downright ignore" is used to describe a blatant act of ignoring something. Though not grammatically incorrect, as confirmed by Ludwig, it's less common than similar phrases like "completely ignore" or "blatantly disregard". Ludwig's analysis suggests its primary use is in news and media, emphasizing the deliberate nature of the disregard. While acceptable, writers should consider whether more common synonyms might enhance clarity and impact for their audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

blatantly disregard

Emphasizes an open and obvious act of ignoring.

completely disregard

Focuses on the thoroughness of the ignoring action.

totally disregard

Highlights the completeness of the neglect.

utterly disregard

Stresses the extent to which something is ignored.

flatly ignore

Indicates a direct and unequivocal act of ignoring.

simply ignore

Highlights the easiness/effortlessness of ignoring.

willfully disregard

Suggests a deliberate and intentional choice to ignore.

deliberately overlook

Indicates a conscious decision to ignore something.

consciously ignore

Suggests an awareness while ignoring.

turn a blind eye

Implies a deliberate choice not to notice something.

FAQs

What does "downright ignore" mean?

The phrase "downright ignore" means to completely or blatantly disregard something. It emphasizes the thoroughness and blatancy of the act of ignoring.

Is "downright ignore" grammatically correct?

While not incorrect, "downright ignore" is less common than other similar phrases. It's often better to use alternatives such as "completely ignore" or "blatantly disregard" for clarity.

What are some alternatives to "downright ignore"?

Alternatives to "downright ignore" include "totally disregard", "utterly disregard", or "flatly ignore". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

How can I use "downright ignore" in a sentence?

You can use "downright ignore" like this: "The politician chose to "downright ignore" the reporter's questions about the scandal."