downbeat

1 of 2

noun

down·​beat ˈdau̇n-ˌbēt How to pronounce downbeat (audio)
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

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
Noun
Powell also made a point of acknowledging downbeat readings of consumer sentiment. David J. Lynch, Washington Post, 12 Mar. 2024 Much like the duo's earlier film, The Lodge takes a story that is relatively straightforward and energizes it with a slick nihilism that lends it the patina of the best downbeat horrors from the 1970s. Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 16 Oct. 2023 The scorching new track is stuffed with dizzying riffs that always seem to lead to downbeat punches. Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 28 Feb. 2024 Almost immediately after, automakers and suppliers across the globe chimed in with their own downbeat forecasts. Esha Dey, Fortune, 13 Jan. 2024 At the neighboring tables, portside locals shared space with downbeat travellers from both sides of the Mediterranean. Jon Lee Anderson, The New Yorker, 8 Jan. 2024 Advertisement This downbeat assessment might turn out to be premature. Ryan Faughnder, Los Angeles Times, 3 Jan. 2024 The theater was hushed before his downbeat when a voice rang out from a balcony. Zachary Woolfe, New York Times, 17 Nov. 2023 Expect sparks to fly staring with the first downbeat. George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Oct. 2023
Adjective
Yet Patel does one thing superlatively well, and that’s using the film as a pedestal for his downbeat star performance. Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 12 Mar. 2024 Americans remain downbeat even if the economic mood has ticked upward. Shane Goldmacher, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2024 Her downbeat side has been too much stressed, maybe due to a general tendency among writers to valorize the darker byways of modernism. Elizabeth Barber, Harper's Magazine, 2 Feb. 2024 Meanwhile, Calipari has drawn criticism locally for skipping out on his postgame radio interview after a few tough losses, and the atmosphere at home games has been downbeat. USA TODAY, 15 Feb. 2024 Spirit's downbeat financial results have stirred speculation about its long-term prospects, with some Wall Street analysts saying the airline could be headed for bankruptcy. Alain Sherter, CBS News, 18 Jan. 2024 However, despite the strong economy, Americans have been mostly downbeat — although attitudes are on the upswing. Alicia Wallace, CNN, 2 Feb. 2024 This equally skillful if much more downbeat sequel should follow its predecessor to wide travel on the festival circuit, then broadcast and streaming exposure. Dennis Harvey, Variety, 7 May 2023 The stock market's 2024 is off to a downbeat start. Hardika Singh, WSJ, 4 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'downbeat.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near downbeat

Cite this Entry

“Downbeat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/downbeat. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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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