lowering

1 of 2

adjective

low·er·ing ˈlau̇-(ə-)riŋ ˈlō-

Synonyms of lowering

: dark and threatening : gloomy

rain pouring down from a lowering sky

lowering

2 of 2

present participle of lower entry 1, lower entry 4

Synonyms of lowering

Relevance

Adjective

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of lowering in a Sentence

Adjective the lowering sky made us think twice about going to the park we chose our next words carefully, mindful of the lowering expression on his face

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of lowering was in the 15th century

See more words from the same century

Browse Nearby Words

Lower Hutt

lowering

loweringly

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Lowering.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lowering. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

lowering

adjective

low·er·ing

variants also louring

ˈlau̇-(ə-)riŋ

: looking angry or threatening

: overcast entry 2, gloomy

a lowering sky

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Popular in Wordplay

lowering

adjective

Synonyms of lowering

Examples of lowering in a Sentence

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

conscientious

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Popular in Wordplay

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes