down·beat
ˈdau̇n-ˌbēt 
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
: 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
Alex Veiga, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2025
This year, several other art-house and repertory film organizations around the country are getting in on the downbeat, among them the Paris Theater in New York City and the Music Box in Chicago.
—Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune, 30 May 2025
Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 4 Sep. 2025
His demeanor was downbeat and filled with disappointment in his performances.
—Nelson Espinal, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for downbeat
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Noun
The market’s downbeat start to the week follows a strong run for stocks, which pushed further into record heights last week after a better-than-expected U.S. jobs report.
—Alex Veiga, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2025
This year, several other art-house and repertory film organizations around the country are getting in on the downbeat, among them the Paris Theater in New York City and the Music Box in Chicago.
—Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune, 30 May 2025
Adjective
The film’s downbeat ending shouldn’t surprise anyone familiar with Denis’ movies, which have always leaned toward tragedy, especially when the action has been set in Africa.
—Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 4 Sep. 2025
His demeanor was downbeat and filled with disappointment in his performances.
—Nelson Espinal, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for downbeat
Cite this Entry
“Downbeat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/downbeat. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
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