downsize

verb

down·​size ˈdau̇n-ˌsīz 

downsized; downsizing; downsizes

transitive verb

1

: to reduce in size

especially : to design or produce in smaller size

2

: to fire (employees) for the purpose of downsizing a business

intransitive verb

: to undergo a reduction in size

Synonyms

• reduce
• decrease

Examples of downsize in a Sentence

They have downsized the car's engine in the new model.

The company is planning to downsize next year.

The company will be downsized next year.

Recent Examples on the Web

The company also wanted to relocate and downsize its warehouse and update its software. —Erik S. Hanley, jsonline.com, 28 Aug. 2025

Some of the contenders for Fed chair have vowed to downsize the central bank’s workforce if they’re chosen. —Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2025

But after just three months and less than 10,000 miles, Dreamz was ready to downsize. —EW.com, 13 Aug. 2025

The new administration almost immediately began mass layoffs and offered early retirements for federal employees, in an effort to downsize the government. —Sarah D. Wire, USA Today, 13 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1975, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for downsize

• advise
• applies
• apprise
• arise
• assize
• baptize
• belies
• bitwise
• capsize
• chastise
• chordwise
• clockwise

Kids Definition

downsize

verb

down·​size ˈdau̇n-ˌsīz 

: to reduce in size

the company downsized its staff to cut costs