as in hopeless
emphasizing or expecting the worst
a downbeat prediction for the company's sales performance in the upcoming year
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in downturn
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Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of downbeat
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
24 Apr. 2026
There has been a void in downbeat Americana ever since Vic Chesnutt ended his life in 2009.
—
David Harris,
SPIN,
21 Apr. 2026
Murat Ates,
New York Times,
11 May 2026
The Kyrie opens with a strong D-major chord in the large orchestra that seems an obvious downbeat but turns out to be an upbeat.
—
Classical Music Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for downbeat
Adjective
In addition to its optimistic baseline projection, the IMF issued a downbeat prediction in the event of a more severe disruption of oil markets that stretches into next year.
—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
24 Apr. 2026
There has been a void in downbeat Americana ever since Vic Chesnutt ended his life in 2009.
—
David Harris,
SPIN,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
If Hellebuyck had posted better results or Comrie had played better during Hellebuyck’s absence, this offseason wouldn’t begin on such a downbeat.
—
Murat Ates,
New York Times,
11 May 2026
The Kyrie opens with a strong D-major chord in the large orchestra that seems an obvious downbeat but turns out to be an upbeat.
—
Classical Music Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for downbeat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for downbeat
Adjective
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The 41-year-old Portuguese footballer managed to put two past a hopeless Uzbekistan, becoming the first player to score in six consecutive World Cups.
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The conflict feels contemporary without growing too cynical, and the core relationship stakes seem real without skewing hopeless.
Noun
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The bank said last week's hawkish Federal Open Market Committee meeting has increased uncertainty over the outlook for short-term interest rates, even as lower oil prices have eased concerns about an economic downturn.
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The markets quickly stabilized, and a major downturn in the economy was avoided.
Adjective
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Traditionally cynical and perceptive commentators—not to mention a lot of tired citizens—found themselves, in some accounts, overcome by an unexpected wave of patriotic sentimentality that washed away, at least for a moment, their gnawing doubts.
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Heston is at his most gleefully cynical as Robert Thorn, a police detective who lives and works in a New York City decimated by environmental deterioration and dwindling resources.
Noun
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That puts more pressure on new Fed Chair Kevin Warsh and his colleagues, a dissent-happy bunch over the past year, to consider whether a slowdown in jobs or an uptick in inflation is the bigger risk to the economy.
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Michelle Monaghan is making midlife look less like a slowdown and more like a second wind.
Adjective
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The survey is an indicator of companies foreseeing good conditions minus those feeling pessimistic.
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Recent polls show majority of voters are pessimistic about the economy and a lasting peace deal with Iran.
Noun
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Chipmakers are particularly vulnerable to this downswing, contrasting their recent strong performance, amidst ongoing concerns about a potential AI bubble.
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The Lions moved on from veteran offensive lineman Graham Glasgow, a once-reliable player on the downswing of his career, who struggled at center last season.
Adjective
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Houssem Aouar finally spied a gap in the Austrian defence and sent Mahrez through to score, sparking jubilation before Sasa Kalajdzic’s header confirmed a ridiculous ending to a game that was dramatic, bleak and then dramatic again.
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Kehoe pointed to the state’s bleak finances in a statement explaining his cuts on Tuesday.
Noun
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The former Scottish oil capital has suffered thousands of job losses and economic stagnation following the oil industry’s decline and has struggled to build the same momentum in offshore wind and hydrogen.
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Fatigue with the stagnation inherent in contemporary democratic institutions is among the key factors that make the promise to break through intransigence by autocratic leaders attractive to a plurality of voters.
Cite this Entry
“Downbeat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downbeat. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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