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

The deal enabled Netgear to downsize its operations at a building that totals 89,400 square feet. —George Avalos, Mercury News, 1 June 2026

Those who are downsizing, upsizing, changing apartments, or swapping roommates aren't necessarily aiming to move long distances. —Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 June 2026

Cisco downsized its headcount by nearly 5% earlier this month and Block roughly halved its workforce in February. —Samantha Subin, CNBC, 29 May 2026

Consider downsizing sooner and invest some of the money to be used for income later. —Medora Lee, USA Today, 28 May 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