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trade down

verb

traded down; trading down; trades down

intransitive verb

1
: to trade something in (such as an automobile) for something less expensive or valuable of its kind
2
: to stock or purchase lower-priced items : economize

Examples of trade down in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Spencer Platt | Getty Images High-income consumers are trading down, Gen Z is spending less, and low-income shoppers are still struggling, according to many consumer companies that shared their latest quarterly results in recent weeks. Amelia Lucas,melissa Repko,gabrielle Fonrouge, CNBC, 14 Nov. 2025 Shares are trading down premarket. Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 6 Nov. 2025 The company’s stock was trading down another 2% on Wednesday. Sydney Lake, Fortune, 5 Nov. 2025 Raymond said consumers are trading down, shopping earlier, with more frequent visits to stores and online but leaving with smaller baskets each time. David Moin, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for trade down

Word History

First Known Use

1905, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of trade down was in 1905

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Trade down.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trade%20down. Accessed 29 Nov. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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