downhill
3 synonyms and 1 antonym for downhill, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adverb — Towards the bottom of a slope.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
worsening
declivitous
Synonyms by Meaning
1. adverb
Towards the bottom of a slope.
“The bike coasted downhill without any pedaling.”
Opposites
2. adjective
Getting steadily worse.
“Things went downhill after the funding fell through.”
declivitous
How to use downhill
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
go downhill
downhill skiing
all downhill from here
Etymology
Downhill is formed from down- and hill.
Full origin of downhill →Frequently asked questions
What does “downhill” mean?
The word “downhill” means towards the bottom of a slope. In plain terms, moving toward the bottom of a hill — often used figuratively for things getting steadily worse.
How do you pronounce “downhill”?
“Downhill” is pronounced down-HIHL (/ˌdaʊnˈhɪl/ in IPA).
How do you use “downhill” in a sentence?
Here is “downhill” used in a sentence: “The bike coasted downhill without any pedaling.”
What is the opposite of “downhill”?
The opposite of “downhill” — its antonyms — is uphill.
What part of speech is “downhill”?
Depending on how it is used, “downhill” can be an adverb, an adjective and a noun.
Is “downhill” a common word?
“Downhill” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “downhill” have?
“Downhill” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: towards the bottom of a slope.
What is the difference between "downhill" as an adverb and as an adjective?
As an adverb, "downhill" describes movement towards the bottom of a slope, as in "the car rolled downhill." As an adjective, it describes something getting steadily worse, as in "his health took a downhill turn."
What does it mean when someone says a situation "went downhill"?
This is a figurative use of "downhill" meaning the situation has been getting steadily worse. It draws on the adjective sense of decline rather than the literal sense of descending a slope.
Is "downhill" a specific event in skiing?
Yes, "downhill" refers to a high-speed alpine skiing event, as well as more generally to the act of skiing down a slope fast. It is one of the recognized disciplines in competitive alpine skiing.
