downer
Spirit-crushing news item
A downer is something that dampens spirits or causes sadness or disappointment: The news about layoffs was a real downer.
The word also refers to a depressant drug, such as a barbiturate or tranquilizer, that slows bodily functions and produces sedation—the opposite of an upper.
Someone described as a downer is persistently negative or gloomy, the kind of person who brings down the mood of a gathering.
Disappointing experience
- letdownFailure to satisfy expectations
- anticlimaxDisappointing conclusion after buildup
- buzzkillFun-spoiling person or thing
- killjoyOne who dampens merriment
party-pooper · flop · washout · fiasco · debacle · failure · setback · deflation
Sedative drug class
- benzodiazepineSedative drug class
- tranquilizerSubstance that induces calm
- opioidMorphine-class analgesic
- morphineOpioid analgesic medication
codeine · anxiolytic · diazepam · lorazepam · alprazolam · clonazepam · methadone · antipsychotic
Subdued, lasting sadness
- gloomyDark and dispiriting
- depressingCausing low mood
- bleakDreary and without cheer
- moroseSullenly ill-humored
sullen · despondent · pessimistic · somber · dreary · dispiriting · disheartening · dejecting
bummer
Disappointing experience
- letdownFailure to satisfy expectations
- anticlimaxDisappointing conclusion after buildup
- buzzkillFun-spoiling person or thing
killjoy · party-pooper · flop · washout · fiasco · debacle · failure · setback · deflation · disillusionment
barbiturate
Sedative drug class
- benzodiazepineSedative drug class
- tranquilizerSubstance that induces calm
- opioidMorphine-class analgesic
morphine · codeine · anxiolytic · diazepam · lorazepam · alprazolam · clonazepam · methadone · antipsychotic · hypnotic
melancholy
Subdued, lasting sadness
- gloomyDark and dispiriting
- depressingCausing low mood
- bleakDreary and without cheer
morose · sullen · despondent · pessimistic · somber · dreary · dispiriting · disheartening · dejecting · saddening
- letdownsletdown, disappointment, anticlimax, dud, flop
- bummersletdown, setback, buzzkill, bad news, disappointment
- Downdownhill, downstairs, downstream, downwind, downtime
- pitchingfastball, slider, curveball, changeup, sinker
- sedativessedative, sedatives, tranq, tranks, tranquilizers
- curmudgeonscurmudgeon, grouch, grump, crank, sourpuss
downerupper
Shoe part above sole
stimulant · amphetamine · speed · uppers · cocaine
downerlife of the party
Most entertaining guest
ray of sunshine · good-time Charlie · upper · sparkplug · live wire
down, downtown, downfall, downward, download, downcast, downgrade, downturn, downplay