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

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

In short, although affected contractors were no more likely to close shop, banning affirmative action led them to downsize relative to companies that were not owned by minorities and women. — Ben Rosa, The Conversation, 4 Aug. 2026

Mathon downsized that proposal, and in late June asked to rezone just 98 acres for multifamily development, while dividing the rest of the acreage — much of it with wetlands — between traditional housing and industrial park zones. — Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 3 Aug. 2026

In last November’s constitutional amendment election, the county downsized the number of polling locations, citing cost reductions and low turnout in odd year elections. — Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 July 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