Definitions

lower

[loh-er] / ˈloʊ ər /

ADJECTIVE

under, inferior

Synonyms

STRONG

curtailed decreased diminished junior lessened low minor reduced secondary subordinate

WEAK

bush-league lesser lower-rung nether pared down second-class second-fiddle second-string smaller subjacent under

Antonyms

STRONG

elevated important increased major superior

WEAK

higher

VERB

let down; fall

Synonyms

STRONGEST

depress drop reduce sink

STRONG

couch descend droop ground submerge

WEAK

bring low cast down demit detrude let down make lower push down set down take down

Antonyms

STRONGEST

raise rise

WEAK

elevate heighten

VERB

reduce, minimize

Synonyms

STRONGEST

curtail cut cut down decrease depreciate devalue diminish downgrade knock off lessen pare scale down slash soften

STRONG

abate clip de-escalate decry deflate demote devaluate downsize moderate prune shave undervalue

WEAK

cut back mark down roll back tone down write off

Antonyms

STRONGEST

develop enlarge expand extend grow increase lengthen prolong raise

WEAK

elevate heighten

VERB

belittle, disgrace

Synonyms

STRONGEST

depress devalue downgrade

STRONG

abase condescend debase degrade deign demean humble humiliate stoop

WEAK

bemean cast down

Antonyms

STRONGEST

raise

STRONG

build up elevate enhance honor laud praise promote

WEAK

compliment

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Sweden's right-wing government withdrew Thursday a heavily contested proposal to lower the age at which children can be sentenced to prison from 15 to 13, citing a lack of support in parliament.

From Barron's • Jun. 11, 2026

Brent crude was down 0.8% to $92.40 a barrel, while WTI futures edged 0.7% lower to $89.43 a barrel after settling higher in the previous session.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 11, 2026

They point, essentially, to test scores that are lower than the state average, lower than other charters and lower than nearby district-operated “comparison” schools.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 11, 2026

Now, property records show that the sale of the home has officially closed with a final price of $2.2 million—an even lower sum than Hoult paid for the home more than eight years ago.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 11, 2026

It was lower than Janie’s and it didn’t go up and down very much.

From "A Boy Called Bat" by Elana K. Arnold

lower

Example Sentences

Related Words