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
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In a stagflationary environment, premium discretionary names are often the first to lose pricing power as consumers trade down and investors reassess margin assumptions. Tony Zhang, CNBC, 25 Mar. 2026 Lemon, 5-11, would be a potential option at pick 11 or in a slight trade down. Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 23 Mar. 2026 The new fund’s shares traded down 11% on Friday. Leo Schwartz, Fortune, 9 Mar. 2026 Lower-income consumers are splurging selectively while cutting down on essentials, and high earners are trading down in groceries while splurging on experiences. Betty Lin-Fisher, USA Today, 7 Mar. 2026 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

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Cite this Entry

“Trade down.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trade%20down. Accessed 30 Mar. 2026.

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