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
When it was enacted, amendments were included to allow for adjustments during economic downturns and fiscal emergencies.
—
J.b. Jennings, Baltimore Sun, 5 Feb. 2026
This rigidity creates panic during market downturns.
—Sheryl Rowling, Los Angeles Times, 29 Jan. 2026
Banks that can attract and retain deposits, especially operating and transaction balances, can price credit, invest in product, and survive downturns in ways that fee-only or wholesale-funded models can’t.
—Zennon Kapron, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Gold often triggers strong emotions due to fear during downturns and euphoria during rallies.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 28 Jan. 2026
The decision put a halt to three consecutive quarter percentage point reductions, billed as maintenance moves to guard against potential downturns in the labor market.
—Jeff Cox, CNBC, 28 Jan. 2026
Any money that’s not invested won’t be able to participate in the inevitable rebounds after downturns.
—Liz Weston, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Apr. 2025
The report underscores a workforce increasingly hesitant to make career moves, driven by concerns over layoffs and economic downturns.
—David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Apr. 2025
Recent studies, including one at Ball State University, have found a correlation between stock market downturns and deteriorating mental health among retirees, including insomnia and depression.
—Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 11 Apr. 2025
J.b. Jennings, Baltimore Sun, 5 Feb. 2026
This rigidity creates panic during market downturns.
—Sheryl Rowling, Los Angeles Times, 29 Jan. 2026
Banks that can attract and retain deposits, especially operating and transaction balances, can price credit, invest in product, and survive downturns in ways that fee-only or wholesale-funded models can’t.
—Zennon Kapron, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Gold often triggers strong emotions due to fear during downturns and euphoria during rallies.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 28 Jan. 2026
The decision put a halt to three consecutive quarter percentage point reductions, billed as maintenance moves to guard against potential downturns in the labor market.
—Jeff Cox, CNBC, 28 Jan. 2026
Any money that’s not invested won’t be able to participate in the inevitable rebounds after downturns.
—Liz Weston, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Apr. 2025
The report underscores a workforce increasingly hesitant to make career moves, driven by concerns over layoffs and economic downturns.
—David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Apr. 2025
Recent studies, including one at Ball State University, have found a correlation between stock market downturns and deteriorating mental health among retirees, including insomnia and depression.
—Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 11 Apr. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for downturns
Noun
-
Midseason slumps are inevitable during the marathon of an NHL regular season.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Just one week ago, Miami Heat center and captain Bam Adebayo was in the middle of one of the worst offensive slumps of his NBA career.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
19 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Visibility can vary rapidly in any area, with sudden decreases to near zero in only a few feet.—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
4 Feb. 2026
-
At those levels, oxygen decreases, organ damage can occur, and fish become more vulnerable to disease.—
Moná Thomas,
PEOPLE,
3 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
While anticipated, the cutbacks were deeper than expected, resulting in the shutdown of the Post’s renowned sports section, the elimination of its photography staff and sharp reductions in personnel responsible for coverage of metropolitan Washington and overseas.—
David Bauder,
Fortune,
8 Feb. 2026
-
While anticipated, the cutbacks were deeper than expected, resulting in the shutdown of the Post’s renowned sports section, the elimination of its photography staff and sharp reductions in personnel responsible for coverage of metropolitan Washington and overseas.—
David Bauder,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
This versatile dairy staple can bulk up a breakfast smoothie, anchor a marinade for lamb and other meats, form the base of classic dips like tzatziki, and transform ice pops into high-protein, healthy desserts—adding tang, tenderness, and creaminess along the way.—
Joe Sevier,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Growth time can shift due to sunlight, temperature dips, or humidity imbalance, so conditions play a big role.—
David Beaulieu,
The Spruce,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The one-time grant aims to offset losses from the federal government’s decision to block Medicaid reimbursements that previously covered more than 80% of clinic patient visits.—
Katie King,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Both losses occurred at home, where the Tigers are 9-4.—
Matt Byrne,
Arkansas Online,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The drop-offs are often emotional for the families and Leon's crew.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
6 Feb. 2026
-
While the Bridgmans were among the first iguana drop-offs, hundreds more followed.—
Cindy Krischer Goodman,
Sun Sentinel,
1 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Grave of the Fireflies is about the horrors and degradations of war.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
-
For Parisian Jews in 1941 and 1942, these thefts were compounded by a cascade of other degradations, including the loss of distinguished positions at the Sorbonne, in banking, science, and medicine, with more devastation to come.—
Christopher C. Gorham
September 29,
Literary Hub,
29 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Downturns.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downturns. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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