: an instance or gesture of rejection, disapproval, or condemnation

Examples of thumbs-down in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Ice cheered, to which a group of fans started booing loudly, waving thumbs-down symbols. Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 8 July 2024 Joel Kim Booster got to experience the power of the thumbs-down on April 20 while headlining the Kennedy Center as part of Asian AF, the Asian American variety show. Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 22 Apr. 2024 The council majority held fast: thumbs-down on the pier. Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 5 June 2024 Regarding misguided touch points, Ferrari owners and critics have given thumbs-down to thumb-pad sliders and other maddening elements of the infotainment system on the 296 GTB and Purosangue. Lawrence Ulrich, Robb Report, 2 May 2024 Aaron Sorkin's upcoming project may get a big thumbs-down emoji from Mark Zuckerberg. Jessica Wang, EW.com, 26 Apr. 2024 Viewers can decide the nuances of the reactions in between, giving the ultimate thumbs-up or fatal thumbs-down. Steffi Cao, Glamour, 16 Feb. 2024 The thumbs-down response to Pritzker’s rah-rah moment reflects a growing recognition among the GOP that bashing electric vehicles is a potent wedge issue. Chicago Tribune, Twin Cities, 11 Jan. 2024 Kodiak Protein-Packed Brownie Score: 16 This whole-grain, high-protein brand got a universal and vehement thumbs-down from our panel. Becky Krystal, Washington Post, 17 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'thumbs-down.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1889, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of thumbs-down was in 1889

Dictionary Entries Near thumbs-down

Cite this Entry

“Thumbs-down.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thumbs-down. Accessed 15 Jul. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on thumbs-down

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!