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

View gallery - 8 images One of the more enjoyable things about covering tiny houses is seeing each country's take on the art of downsizing. —New Atlas, 1 Jan. 2026

The Armadillo chain downsized to one restaurant, on Bridgepointe Parkway in Foster City. —Linda Zavoral, Mercury News, 30 Dec. 2025

The world suddenly needs more power, but one solution being tested is to downsize energy generation and distribute it more widely. —IEEE Spectrum, 29 Dec. 2025

Dreaming about downsizing and moving to a quiet corner of the woods is especially tempting amidst the holiday rush. —Brittany Vanderbill, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Dec. 2025

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