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

Other evidence suggests that the broader increase in productivity seen since 2021 is more likely due to remote work or factors other than AI, like downsizing in sectors such as technology. — Mark Ma, The Conversation, 12 Aug. 2026

India’s world-leading IT sector is downsizing, facing mass disruption by AI. — Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 11 Aug. 2026

The layoffs added to earlier downsizing by the software giant and moves by companies that include Amazon and Oracle to shed thousands of people in the last two years. — Sebastian Herrera, Fortune, 8 Aug. 2026

Walgreens is closing stores across the country as part of a multiyear downsizing effort, and Missouri is not immune. — Ahmed Jawadi, USA Today, 4 Aug. 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