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

The new team’s work was already visible during a visit to the New York City flagship on Madison Avenue, which had been downsized several years ago and now has around 15,000 square feet of selling space. — Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 8 Sep. 2026

The number of tech industry job cuts in 2026 in the Bay Area has already surpassed 2025, following downsizing disclosures by companies such as PayPal, Amazon and Synopsys. — George Avalos, Mercury News, 4 Sep. 2026

But these policies don't protect people from a layoff due to other factors like if the company downsizes or closes operations. — Jennifer Liu, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026

But the site had seen a series of downsizing moves over recent years, as the company struggled to keep up with its rivals as generative AI transformed the industry. — Sacbee.com, 2 Sep. 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