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

Covid-19 industry-wide shifted the workplace to a hybrid model — divided between work and home — leading employers to downsize their long-term needs for office space, putting pressure on landlords. —Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 8 Apr. 2026

The office has also been buffeted by downsizing, a hiring freeze and a lengthy government shutdown. —Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 7 Apr. 2026

As my colleague Cerys Davies reported, the sale is the latest effort to downsize WME. —Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2026

As federal agencies adopt AI tools that draw upon reams of sensitive information, the implications of this downsizing for federal cybersecurity are far-reaching. —Renee Dudley, ProPublica, 6 Apr. 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