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 cuts will reduce non-union management positions by over 20% and mark one of CEO Dan Schulman's first moves to downsize the company. —James Powel, USA Today, 14 Nov. 2025

Homeowners might also consider selling their current home and downsizing, moving to a lower-cost area, or borrowing against their home equity via a reverse mortgage or a home equity line of credit. —Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 14 Nov. 2025

Saving money on groceries doesn’t have to mean downsizing the celebration. —Allison Palmer, Miami Herald, 11 Nov. 2025

For Apple users who want to downsize their charging gear while keeping key devices powered, this is a practical upgrade. —PC Magazine, 11 Nov. 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