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

These high-end rentals are geared toward newcomers to Miami looking to test out a neighborhood before buying, retirees looking to downsize from larger single-family homes or people who would rather save the money and invest it, Bell said. — Catherine Odom, Miami Herald, 3 Nov. 2026

Some lamented the format—essentially a full-length rendition of the LP, nothing more; venues were downsized as excitement (and prurient interest in the album’s salacious subject matter) began to dull. — Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 30 Oct. 2026

Several programs were forced to close or downsize, affecting the whole region. — Connie Neal, New York Daily News, 29 Oct. 2026

The Victoria and Albert Museum is planning to downsize its adult-learning program, the V&A Academy, amid broader threats of staff cuts. — Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 27 Oct. 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