downbeat

1 of 2

noun

down·​beat ˈdau̇n-ˌbēt How to pronounce downbeat (audio)
Synonyms of downbeatnext
1
: the downward stroke of a conductor indicating the principally accented note of a measure of music
also : the first beat of a measure
2
: a decline in activity or prosperity

downbeat

2 of 2

adjective

: pessimistic, gloomy
a downbeat assessment

Synonyms of downbeat

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Adjective

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Examples of downbeat in a Sentence

Adjective a downbeat prediction for the company's sales performance in the upcoming year
Recent Examples on the Web
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Noun
As has been the norm this summer, seasonal storms kept attendees guessing about whether the July 4 tradition would go forward until downbeat. — Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026 Nothing feels snapped to an arbitrary grid; while the tempo doesn’t vary from bar to bar, what happens in between the downbeats flows as only human playing can. — Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork, 4 June 2026
Adjective
However, many remain downbeat about the bitcoin price’s prospects this year following its choppy, downward trend through 2026 so far. — Billy Bambrough, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026 But compared to Four Tet’s largely downbeat 2024 album Three, the new record keeps the tempos brisk and the energy high. — Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork, 18 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for downbeat

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1766, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1950, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of downbeat was in 1766

Rhymes for downbeat

See All Rhymes for downbeat

Browse Nearby Words

downbear
downbeat
down-beater
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Cite this Entry

“Downbeat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/downbeat. Accessed 27 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

downbeat

noun
down·​beat
ˈdau̇n-ˌbēt
: the downward stroke of a conductor indicating the principally accented note of a measure of music
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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