downsize

verb

down·​size ˈdau̇n-ˌsīz 

downsized; downsizing; downsizes

transitive verb

1

: to reduce in size

especially : to design or produce in smaller size

2

: to fire (employees) for the purpose of downsizing a business

intransitive verb

: to undergo a reduction in size

Synonyms of downsize

• reduce
• decrease

Examples of downsize in a Sentence

They have downsized the car's engine in the new model.

The company is planning to downsize next year.

The company will be downsized next year.

Recent Examples on the Web

Selling his Fort Lauderdale home now is less about downsizing than proximity to an area where many of his current projects and clients are concentrated. —Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 13 Jan. 2026

The movie follows Lee Byung-hun (Squid Game) as Yoo Man-su, a man who is fired from his job at a paper manufacturing company after an American company buys out his company and downsizes. —Tommy McArdle, PEOPLE, 12 Jan. 2026

Macy’s will close its La Mesa and Tracy stores, beginning clearance sales in mid-January as part of aggressive nationwide downsizing affecting 14 locations. —Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 12 Jan. 2026

Often, the goal is to downsize. —Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 11 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1975, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for downsize

• advise
• applies
• apprise
• arise
• assize
• baptize
• belies
• bitwise
• capsize
• chastise
• chordwise
• clockwise

Kids Definition

downsize

verb

down·​size ˈdau̇n-ˌsīz 

: to reduce in size

the company downsized its staff to cut costs