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
David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 22 May 2026
If Hellebuyck had posted better results or Comrie had played better during Hellebuyck’s absence, this offseason wouldn’t begin on such a downbeat.
—Murat Ates, New York Times, 11 May 2026
Beau Dure, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
Finding clever new ways to tell a familiar story of crooked cops and small-town corruption, the movie calls to mind both the deadpan thrillers of the Coen brothers and the downbeat ’70s crime flicks of French helmer Alain Corneau.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 22 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for downbeat
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Noun
Finding clever new ways to tell a familiar story of crooked cops and small-town corruption, the movie calls to mind both the deadpan thrillers of the Coen brothers and the downbeat ’70s crime flicks of French helmer Alain Corneau.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 22 May 2026
If Hellebuyck had posted better results or Comrie had played better during Hellebuyck’s absence, this offseason wouldn’t begin on such a downbeat.
—Murat Ates, New York Times, 11 May 2026
Adjective
But the series producers make great use of their access with a powerful scene that catches the team at its most downbeat, having crashed out of the Nations League with a loss to Panama.
—Beau Dure, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
Finding clever new ways to tell a familiar story of crooked cops and small-town corruption, the movie calls to mind both the deadpan thrillers of the Coen brothers and the downbeat ’70s crime flicks of French helmer Alain Corneau.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 22 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for downbeat
Cite this Entry
“Downbeat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/downbeat. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
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