as in decelerations
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of downshifts
Speaking of which, Honda also gives you an assist/slipper clutch that ought to help you with your downshifts.
—
New Atlas, 5 Nov. 2025
But Sport mode was always selected soon after, which, besides adding rev-match downshifts and turning off auto stop/start, adds sharp exhaust tones to its deep-bass-induction soundtrack.
—Peter Nelson, Robb Report, 1 Oct. 2025
Feel that lovely dog weight, dog density, as your dog settles and downshifts, grows heavy with unconsciousness, and makes the profound noises, the groans of contentment and secret multi-voweled suspirations, of a dog entering its sleep world.
—James Parker, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2025
New Atlas, 5 Nov. 2025
But Sport mode was always selected soon after, which, besides adding rev-match downshifts and turning off auto stop/start, adds sharp exhaust tones to its deep-bass-induction soundtrack.
—Peter Nelson, Robb Report, 1 Oct. 2025
Feel that lovely dog weight, dog density, as your dog settles and downshifts, grows heavy with unconsciousness, and makes the profound noises, the groans of contentment and secret multi-voweled suspirations, of a dog entering its sleep world.
—James Parker, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for downshifts
Noun
-
This week's declines leave the S&P 500 down almost 30 percent from their October 2025 peaks.—
Leonie Kidd,
CNBC,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Countries around the world experiencing their own population declines are now watching closely to see what South Korea does next.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Sharp drops hit Wall Street on Thursday as technology stocks fell and bitcoin plunged again to roughly half its record price set last fall.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Kidder says if scent is the goal, then a few drops of essential oil mixed into baking soda works well.—
Ashlyn Needham,
The Spruce,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Three recent stories about South Florida travel covered airport slowdowns, changing tourism trends and new technology to speed up security.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
11 Feb. 2026
-
More industries are retooling around AI after experiencing slowdowns in their core businesses.—
J.D. Capelouto,
semafor.com,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Downshifts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downshifts. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
