downsize

verb

down·size | \ ˈdau̇n-ˌsīz

downsized; downsizing; downsizes

Definition of downsize

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 & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More about downsize

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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

Shopping 26 Slides The unofficial season of downsizing your closet is finally on the horizon. — Glamour, "26 Spring Dresses Under $100 to Buy Now," 14 Mar. 2019 With a lower price the couple hopes the property will sell, allowing them to downsize. — Alina Dizik, WSJ, "What’s It Take to Sell a Home on Chicago’s Lake Michigan? Patience," 21 Feb. 2019 And while there's something to be said about big city living, downsizing sure has its perks—think local boutiques, tons of outdoor activities, and restaurant-to-people ratios that lean way in your favor. — Condé Nast Traveler, "The Most Beautiful Towns in America," 21 Sep. 2018 There, Ganim pulled out a copy of a 2006 New York Times story about Lamont downsizing Campus Televideo, which Lamont campaign manager Marc Bradley took from Ganim. — Neil Vigdor, courant.com, "Rival Democrats Ned Lamont And Joe Ganim Exchange Barbs In Raucous Debate," 12 July 2018 Ruby said the couple planned to downsize from their Brighton home and move back to New York City into a place that is fully furnished. — Christina Hall, Detroit Free Press, "Estate sale planned as Melissa Gilbert, Timothy Busfield leave Michigan," 9 July 2018 Space in the building opened up when Halcon Resources Corp. downsized by two floors, including the 59th floor sky lobby, and Targa Resources vacated four floors to relocate to 811 Louisiana, CBRE said. — Katherine Feser, Houston Chronicle, "Sidley Austin to expand offices in Wells Fargo Plaza," 3 July 2018 They'd recently downsized, moving into a condo nearby, so the designers helped them choose which pieces from the big house would be making the move. — Emma Bazilian, House Beautiful, "Next Wave Duo Toledo Geller Shows How Moving Furniture Can Totally Transform A Room," 24 Jan. 2019 Several newsrooms have had to downsize, restructure and, in some cases, sell or shut down altogether. — Shirin Ghaffary, Recode, "As digital media companies brace for change, unions try to cushion the blow," 26 Dec. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'downsize.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Dictionary Entries near downsize

Statistics for downsize

Last Updated

21 Mar 2019

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Time Traveler for downsize

The first known use of downsize was in 1975

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More Definitions for downsize

downsize

verb

Financial Definition of downsize

What It Is

Downsizing is a strategy used to reduce the size and scope of a business in order to improve its financial performance, usually by laying off employees or closing less-profitable divisions.

How It Works

Downsizing often takes place as part of a larger restructuring program at a company. Although it's usually thought of as a strategy companies use to become smaller, downsizing can also be the result of company mergers, acquisitions, and takeovers.

Its most common form comes in employee layoffs, which reduce payroll costs for the company. Downsizing may also involve shuttering some operations or offering certain employees early retirement.

Why It Matters

Downsizing is typically seen during economic downturns in order to improve efficiency and maintain profitability. However, if too many companies cut payrolls, it can further the downturn due to higher unemployment.

As well, companies may downsize in order to improve their attractiveness to potential acquirers and their cost-cutting moves could result in a buyout offer.

Source: Investing Answers

downsize

verb