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
Sean Conlon,alex Harring, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2025
At some point, the film eventually goes through the motions until its inevitable downbeat climax, at which point its dramatic shortcomings become difficult to ignore.
—Vikram Murthi, IndieWire, 10 Sep. 2025
Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 20 Oct. 2025
There’s been a decidedly downbeat feel to international TV conferences over recent years.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 10 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for downbeat
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Noun
Thursday's decline came after the automaker gave downbeat guidance.
—Sean Conlon,alex Harring, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2025
At some point, the film eventually goes through the motions until its inevitable downbeat climax, at which point its dramatic shortcomings become difficult to ignore.
—Vikram Murthi, IndieWire, 10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
Sciolino, the author, was similarly downbeat.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 20 Oct. 2025
There’s been a decidedly downbeat feel to international TV conferences over recent years.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 10 Oct. 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 29 Oct. 2025.
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