as in deceleration
a usually gradual decrease in the pace or level of activity of something
there are promising indications of a turnaround in the prolonged economic downshift
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of downshift
In 2025, employment in the state was virtually flat, representing a major downshift from previous years, when the state added jobs at an average of around 2%.
—
Trevor Bach,
Dallas Morning News,
27 Mar. 2026
As the 11-year cycle downshifts from solar maximum to solar minimum, the lights will begin to diminish in frequency and intensity.
—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 Mar. 2026
In an awards season filled with human suffering, the premise is a refreshing downshift.
—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
9 Jan. 2026
That’s a big downshift from the first four months of the year, when job creation averaged 123,000, not to mention the 168,000 per month in 2024 and 216,000 in 2023.
—
Jill Schlesinger,
Mercury News,
22 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for downshift
Trevor Bach,
Dallas Morning News,
27 Mar. 2026
As the 11-year cycle downshifts from solar maximum to solar minimum, the lights will begin to diminish in frequency and intensity.
—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 Mar. 2026
In an awards season filled with human suffering, the premise is a refreshing downshift.
—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
9 Jan. 2026
That’s a big downshift from the first four months of the year, when job creation averaged 123,000, not to mention the 168,000 per month in 2024 and 216,000 in 2023.
—
Jill Schlesinger,
Mercury News,
22 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for downshift
Recent Examples of Synonyms for downshift
Noun
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Lloyd did two-leg squatting, single-leg squatting, jumping, running, cutting and deceleration exercises in a three-dimensional motion capture lab that identified where Lloyd was placing stress during those activities.
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Hamstring strains often occur during sprinting or rapid deceleration, while groin strains are linked to cutting movements and powerful inside-foot kicks.
Noun
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Surveys showing a decline in Americans who see democracy as important.
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This decision stems from chronic staffing shortages, crumbling infrastructure, budget constraints, and a substantial decline in the federal inmate population, which peaked in 2013 and has since fallen by nearly 30%.
Noun
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The patriotic ball drop is scheduled to air at midnight ET on CNN as July 3 turns into July 4 in Times Square.
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Tesla’s results – which came in above expectations – indicate the company may be recovering after two straight years of annual sales drops and the removal EV tax credits in the US, which has lowered the incentive for prospective American buyers.
Noun
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Tesla has not clarified if its semitruck has an automatic emergency braking system.
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The track features long straights and not many braking points to recharge their batteries, just like Austria.
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.
Noun
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The Everrati's left pedal operates pads on discs in the normal fashion, but the motors also give powerful regenerative retardation when the accelerator is lifted.
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The policy of retardation of submarine technology ended right after the beginning of the Anglo-German naval race (marked by the German Naval Laws of 1898 and 1900).
Noun
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Bregman has been a consistent presence at the plate for the Red Sox as well as the Houston Astros in his career, so the slump is fairly surprising.
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Drake Baldwin snapped an 0-for-36 slump with a single in the seventh.
Cite this Entry
“Downshift.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downshift. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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