downsize

verb

down·​size ˈdau̇n-ˌsīz How to pronounce downsize (audio)
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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Public sector downsizing has left a wave of experienced professionals—from educators and social workers to administrators, program managers and humanitarian aid workers—looking for a new purpose. Leslye Moore, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025 The Supreme Court cleared the way Tuesday for the Trump administration to lay off tens of thousands of federal employees and downsize their agencies without seeking the approval of Congress. David G. Savage follow, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2025 The move follows a challenging few years for the company, which has issued layoffs and made efforts to downsize to cut costs. Anne Marie D. Lee, CBS News, 2 July 2025 Intel plans to cut dozens more jobs at its sprawling campus in Folsom, the latest in a yearslong series of downsizing moves there. Annika Merrilees, Sacbee.com, 1 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for downsize

Word History

First Known Use

1975, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of downsize was in 1975

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Downsize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/downsize. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

downsize

verb
down·​size ˈdau̇n-ˌsīz How to pronounce downsize (audio)
: to reduce in size
the company downsized its staff to cut costs

More from Merriam-Webster on downsize

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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