1
as in humble
not having or showing any feelings of superiority, self-assertiveness, or showiness
we were all impressed by how down-to-earth the movie star turned out to be
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in pragmatic
willing to see things as they really are and deal with them sensibly
a down-to-earth guidance counselor who is frank in telling students which colleges they're likely to get into
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of down-to-earth
These over-the-top moments are punctuated by Perry’s more down-to-earth direct interactions with fans, such as inviting four audience members up on stage.
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Courtney Lane, Kansas City Star, 11 May 2025
The most decent and down-to-earth celebrity to eat in my restaurants is Woody Allen.
—Julian Sancton, HollywoodReporter, 9 May 2025
Vera Ribeiro, who was visiting St. Patrick’s Cathedral from Brazil, had more down-to-earth expectations of the first American Pope.
—Sheetal Banchariya, New York Daily News, 8 May 2025
Her explosive personality and underhand tactics constantly antagonize Jenny, a down-to-earth woman who’s more or less content staying in her small hometown despite often being treated like an outsider.
—Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 8 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for down-to-earth
Courtney Lane, Kansas City Star, 11 May 2025
The most decent and down-to-earth celebrity to eat in my restaurants is Woody Allen.
—Julian Sancton, HollywoodReporter, 9 May 2025
Vera Ribeiro, who was visiting St. Patrick’s Cathedral from Brazil, had more down-to-earth expectations of the first American Pope.
—Sheetal Banchariya, New York Daily News, 8 May 2025
Her explosive personality and underhand tactics constantly antagonize Jenny, a down-to-earth woman who’s more or less content staying in her small hometown despite often being treated like an outsider.
—Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 8 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for down-to-earth
Recent Examples of Synonyms for down-to-earth
Adjective
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Improbably located right across the street from their humble abode is the upscale manse inhabited by the Falconers, a rich couple (Katherine Waterson, Chris Klein) who’ve raised only child Tiffany (Fina Strazza) to be a particularly stinging WASP.—
Dennis Harvey,
Variety,
23 May 2025
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Each pits a young heroine of humble means against the formidable, possibly sinister lady of the estate; this time, that quintessential Nicole Kidman role is played by a serenely terrifying Julianne Moore.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
22 May 2025
Adjective
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The daughter of a generous and pragmatic father who worked for the Internal Revenue Service and a mother who wore a suit of armor over a devastating diagnosis.—
Brian Hamilton,
New York Times,
22 May 2025
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Many refugee writers demonstrate awareness of the fact that telling stories serves ends both personal and pragmatic, therapeutic and bureaucratic.—
Tim Brinkhof,
JSTOR Daily,
21 May 2025
Adjective
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According to the latest report from L.A.’s film office, production days on location decreased more than 22 percent in the first quarter of 2025 compared with an already meek period in 2024.—
Katie Kilkenny,
HollywoodReporter,
2 May 2025
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Democrats, unable either to diagnose or to admit to their own failings, measured their victories in the meekest of triumphs, and seemed to have lost all sense of purpose, direction, and proportion.—
Jill Lepore,
New Yorker,
28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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On Thursday, Hutchinson was asked how realistic a return would’ve been.—
Colton Pouncy,
New York Times,
22 May 2025
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Shutting down all gas plants isn’t realistic, at least not yet; even California still depends on gas for one-third of its electricity.—
Sammy Roth,
Los Angeles Times,
22 May 2025
Adjective
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Those modest contracts won’t affect the Giants’ cap space immediately, since their cap hits fall below the team’s 51 most expensive contracts.—
Dan Duggan,
New York Times,
21 May 2025
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The modest brick home, at just a bit over 1,000 square feet, was where Robert Francis Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, grew up.—
Mike Nolan,
Chicago Tribune,
21 May 2025
Adjective
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People in these jobs generally manage the practical logistics of trying to create workplaces that are more welcoming for all employees — and more attractive to a broader pool of qualified candidates.—
Maria Aspan,
NPR,
27 May 2025
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Many product designs never even make it to market, due to concepts that might be more theoretical than practical, elements that don’t add to performance, or don’t promote good sound and feel.—
Candace Oehler,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Down-to-earth.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/down-to-earth. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
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