downhill
Toward lower ground
Downhill describes movement toward lower ground, following a slope's descent: The trail runs downhill for two miles.
As an adjective, it modifies things oriented toward the bottom: a downhill ski run, a downhill race.
Figuratively, downhill suggests decline or deterioration: Everything went downhill after she left.
But it's all downhill from here can mean either easier going or worsening conditions, depending on context.
Rate of change across space
- descentDownward slope or lineage
- inclineAngled rising surface
- gradeClassification by rank
- pitchFrequency of sound
steepness · drop · slant · tilt · bank · dip · decline · angle
Requiring no strain
- coastingMoving without active effort
- smoothWithout roughness or difficulty
- breezeLight, gentle air movement
- easyRequiring minimal effort
glide · freewheel · momentum · cruise · simple · uncomplicated · undemanding · leisurely
Of high elevations
- slalomSki race through gates
- mogulsBumps or bigwigs
- pisteDesignated ski route
- chairliftCable-suspended passenger conveyance
gondola · ski-resort · snowplow · tuck · gates · racecourse · parallel · carving
Process of declining quality
- worseningBecoming more severe
- decayGradual organic breakdown
- degradationDecline in condition
- slumpExtended period of decline
downturn · collapse · ebb · wane · diminish · weaken · falter · plummet
Directed rate of motion
- accelerationRate velocity changes
- momentumProduct of mass, velocity
- gravityMutual mass attraction
- raceCompetition of speed
rush · plunge · hurtle · zoom · whiz · sprint · careening · barreling
Unearned benefit from others
- enduroLong-distance off-road racing
- trailPath through wilderness
- bermRaised strip alongside roads
- switchbackReversing mountain path
singletrack · suspension · gnarly · send · pedaling · gravel · technical
gradient
Rate of change across space
pitch · steepness · drop · slant · tilt · bank · dip · decline · angle · elevation
effortless
Requiring no strain
- coastingMoving without active effort
- smoothWithout roughness or difficulty
- breezeLight, gentle air movement
easy · glide · freewheel · momentum · cruise · simple · uncomplicated · undemanding · leisurely · natural
alpine
Of high elevations
chairlift · gondola · ski-resort · snowplow · tuck · gates · racecourse · parallel · carving · powder
deterioration
Process of declining quality
- worseningBecoming more severe
- decayGradual organic breakdown
- degradationDecline in condition
slump · downturn · collapse · ebb · wane · diminish · weaken · falter · plummet · spiral
velocity
Directed rate of motion
- accelerationRate velocity changes
- momentumProduct of mass, velocity
- gravityMutual mass attraction
race · rush · plunge · hurtle · zoom · whiz · sprint · careening · barreling · breakneck
freeride
Unearned benefit from others
switchback · singletrack · suspension · gnarly · send · pedaling · gravel · technical
- cyclingbikes, bicycles, cycling, cyclist, cyclists
- Winter Olympicsalpine skiing, biathlon, bobsled, ski jumping, cross-country skiing
- winter sportsskiing, skating, snowboarding, hockey, sledding
- Downward directionsbelow, beneath, under, underneath, downstairs
- Easy Thingseasy, simple, easy peasy, easy-peasy, easy as pie
- path conditionsmuddy, rocky, icy, slippery, wet
downhillupward
Toward a higher position
improving · on the rise · getting better · uphill · on the mend
- go downhillWorsen over time