as in deflations
a situation in which something (such as business or economic activity) decreases or becomes worse
—usually singular
an economic downturn There's been a downturn in the housing market.
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Recent Examples of downturns
During successive economic downturns throughout the ’90s and 21st century, the WRS rose before real GDP growth collapsed.
—
Jake Angelo, Fortune, 31 Mar. 2026
In each of the two oil crises of 1973 and 1979, the world lost about 5 million barrels of oil a day, causing major global economic downturns, Fatih Birol told the National Press Club of Australia in Canberra.
—Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 23 Mar. 2026
These stock-heavy portfolios can leave people painfully exposed to downturns.
—Liz Weston, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Mar. 2026
The downturns of more than a percentage point of view share for a range of outlets.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 20 Mar. 2026
The rankings are based on a three-year average, which smooths out spikes and dips occasioned by big events such as war or financial downturns.
—Jeanne Bonner, CNN Money, 19 Mar. 2026
While recent market jitters have rattled investors, Kotowski said private credit managers have historically emerged stronger from downturns because of their longer-term capital structures.
—Hugh Leask, CNBC, 17 Mar. 2026
America's wine industry is grappling with one of its most painful downturns in decades as younger consumers cut back on drinking and baby boomers age out of the market — reshaping alcohol habits nationwide.
—Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 12 Mar. 2026
The company has survived in an industry rife with downturns.
—Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 11 Mar. 2026
Jake Angelo, Fortune, 31 Mar. 2026
In each of the two oil crises of 1973 and 1979, the world lost about 5 million barrels of oil a day, causing major global economic downturns, Fatih Birol told the National Press Club of Australia in Canberra.
—Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 23 Mar. 2026
These stock-heavy portfolios can leave people painfully exposed to downturns.
—Liz Weston, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Mar. 2026
The downturns of more than a percentage point of view share for a range of outlets.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 20 Mar. 2026
The rankings are based on a three-year average, which smooths out spikes and dips occasioned by big events such as war or financial downturns.
—Jeanne Bonner, CNN Money, 19 Mar. 2026
While recent market jitters have rattled investors, Kotowski said private credit managers have historically emerged stronger from downturns because of their longer-term capital structures.
—Hugh Leask, CNBC, 17 Mar. 2026
America's wine industry is grappling with one of its most painful downturns in decades as younger consumers cut back on drinking and baby boomers age out of the market — reshaping alcohol habits nationwide.
—Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 12 Mar. 2026
The company has survived in an industry rife with downturns.
—Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 11 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for downturns
Noun
-
Everybody goes through their slumps.—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
3 Apr. 2026
-
An offense with a collective mindset can protect guys who are going through some slumps.—
Evan Grant,
Dallas Morning News,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
All of the cumulative regions the wave passes through, with all of the growth and shrinkages that occur, imprint themselves onto the wave, as do the initial and final gravitational potentials.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Property valuations can vary, and that means homeowners typically see a range of increases or decreases in their tax statements.—
Frederick Melo,
Twin Cities,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Most of the severe declines happened in rural areas, although urban counties like San Francisco and Los Angeles also saw decreases.—
Kristen Hwang,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Offseason price falloffs are common in all sports, and those at the top are often among the most impacted.—
Benjamin Burrows,
New York Times,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The system also offers the potential for major cost reductions compared to other photoreforming approaches, as the reusable acid boosts hydrogen production rates.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Advocates warn the reductions could disrupt or cancel dozens of missions spanning planetary science, astrophysics and Earth observation — areas overseen by NASA's Science Mission Directorate.—
Samantha Mathewson,
Space.com,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
But the returns on the trade haven't been as strong over time, and data on whether traders are still buying the dips amid the Middle East war is murky.—
Davis Giangiulio,
CNBC,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Take the seven-minute gondola lift up, then drive a plastic cart down the banked corners and dips of a mile-long luge course.—
New York Times,
New York Times,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Similar deteriorations took place in Tuscany and in Naples.—
Britannica Editors,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Asia-Pacific markets whipsawed in volatile trading on Tuesday, with major indices flipping to losses in the morning session, as uncertainty surrounding the war weighs on investor sentiment.—
Hugh Leask,Joseph Wilkins,
CNBC,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Researchers argue that such systems could produce far more energy per unit area than terrestrial solar farms, as orbiting panels operate without atmospheric losses or cloud cover.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Downturns.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downturns. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.
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