downshift
verb
down·shift
ˈdau̇n-ˌshift 
downshifted; downshifting; downshifts
1
: to shift an automotive vehicle into a lower gear
2
: to move or shift to a lower level (as of speed, activity, or intensity)
downshift
noun
Examples of downshift in a Sentence
You can downshift to slow the car down.
Recent Examples on the Web
Consequently, high-earning professionals will be forced to downshift into gig economy roles, flooding the labor supply and pushing down wages across the entire economy.
—
Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 23 Feb. 2026
Because the brain loves patterns, predictability is helpful for the nervous system to downshift more quickly.
—Caroline Lubinsky, Martha Stewart, 16 Feb. 2026
The idea is to downshift from excess arousal into a more centred space, Nedas explained.
—Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2026
Shallow, chest-dominant breathing or frequent breath-holding increases energy demand and limits the body’s ability to downshift.
—Dana Santas, CNN Money, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for downshift
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Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 23 Feb. 2026
Because the brain loves patterns, predictability is helpful for the nervous system to downshift more quickly.
—Caroline Lubinsky, Martha Stewart, 16 Feb. 2026
The idea is to downshift from excess arousal into a more centred space, Nedas explained.
—Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2026
Shallow, chest-dominant breathing or frequent breath-holding increases energy demand and limits the body’s ability to downshift.
—Dana Santas, CNN Money, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for downshift
Cite this Entry
“Downshift.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/downshift. Accessed 25 Feb. 2026.
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