downbeat

1 of 2

noun

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

downbeat

2 of 2

adjective

: pessimistic, gloomy

a downbeat assessment

Synonyms of downbeat

Adjective

• hopeless
• cynical
• pessimistic
• bleak
• despairing
• negative
• depressing

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

The slight downbeat in 2019-20 can be blamed on luck, although a wayward 20 minutes with James Neal didn’t help. — Allan Mitchell, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026

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

Adjective

Memory chip stocks — The group fell following a downbeat overnight session in South Korea. — Darla Mercado, Cfp®,fred Imbert, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2026

Winter lets the spaces between each downbeat expand and contract, as if his Steinway grand has lungs. — Walden Green, Pitchfork, 9 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1766, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1950, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for downbeat

• amit
• athlete
• backseat
• blackfeet
• broadsheet
• browbeat
• buckwheat
• compete
• compleat
• complete
• conceit
• concrete

Kids Definition

downbeat

noun

down·​beat

ˈdau̇n-ˌbēt

: the downward stroke of a conductor indicating the principally accented note of a measure of music