down·hill
ˌdau̇n-ˈhil 
1
: toward the bottom of a hill
2
: toward a worsened or inferior state or level
—used especially in the phrase go downhill
down·hill
ˈdau̇n-ˌhil
1
: a descending slope
2
a
: the sport of skiing on downhill trails
—often used attributively
b
: a skiing race against time down a trail
finished second in the downhill
down·hill
ˈdau̇n-ˌhil
1
: not difficult : easy
after that problem the rest was downhill
2
: sloping downhill
3
: closer to the bottom of an incline
your downhill ski
4
: progressively worse
5
American football
: relating to, employing, or being a style of running in which a ballcarrier moves powerfully forward into the line of scrimmage and down the field toward the opponent's end zone without a lot of movement toward the sidelines to avoid tacklers
a downhill runner
The Tigers use their tight ends as blockers. They're more suited to an assertive, downhill running game now.—
Bernie Miklasz
Bernie MiklaszSynonyms
Examples of downhill in a Sentence
Adverb
It is easier to ride a bike downhill than uphill.
Her career is heading downhill.
After his divorce, he went downhill fast.
The service has gone downhill under the new owner.
Noun
most runners will have their best splits on the downhills
Adjective
The second half of the hike is mostly downhill.
The worst part is over. It's all downhill from here.
The first part of the movie was pretty good, but after that it was all downhill.
His career has been all downhill in recent years.
Recent Examples on the Web
Michelle Bruton, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
Her 43 wins in downhill are the most by any skier, man or woman, as are her 28 wins in super-G.
Injuries took a toll on Vonn in the years leading up to her retirement, however.
—Rohan Nadkarni, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2024
Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press, 7 Nov. 2024
Thanks to a new liner and snugger fit, the 4-Quattro Pro was the best downhill performer in our test.
—Outside Editors, Outside Online, 11 Nov. 2024
Roger Sands, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024
Number of Bike Trails: 191 Most Popular Bike Trail: The crown goes to French Press, a 4.4-mile downhill romp in Snowmass’ Bike Park that is full of berms and rollers from top to bottom.
—Graham Averill, Outside Online, 12 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for downhill 
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Adverb
The cup winner will receive a trophy as well as $50,000 at an award ceremony following the Stifel Birds of Prey downhill and super-G races on December 14.
—Michelle Bruton, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
Her 43 wins in downhill are the most by any skier, man or woman, as are her 28 wins in super-G.
Injuries took a toll on Vonn in the years leading up to her retirement, however.
—Rohan Nadkarni, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2024
Noun
The central northern Michigan city is a downhill skiing mecca for a reason.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press, 7 Nov. 2024
Thanks to a new liner and snugger fit, the 4-Quattro Pro was the best downhill performer in our test.
—Outside Editors, Outside Online, 11 Nov. 2024
Adjective
Beyond the Borders Ski Vacation Ski travelers often opt for downhill experiences outside of the States.
—Roger Sands, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024
Number of Bike Trails: 191 Most Popular Bike Trail: The crown goes to French Press, a 4.4-mile downhill romp in Snowmass’ Bike Park that is full of berms and rollers from top to bottom.
—Graham Averill, Outside Online, 12 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for downhill
Dictionary Entries Near downhill
Cite this Entry
“Downhill.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/downhill. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
downhill
1 of 3 adverb
down·hill
ˌdau̇n-ˈhil
1
: toward the bottom of a hill
sleds speeding downhill
2
: toward a worsened or lower state or level
her health went downhill quickly
downhill
2 of 3 adjective
down·hill
ˈdau̇n-ˌhil
: sloping downhill
downhill
3 of 3 noun
down·hill
-ˌhil
1
: the sport of skiing on downhill trails
downhill skiing
2
: a skiing race against time down a trail
finished second in the downhill
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