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.
Dolgin says if more people trade down to the ad tier (something Netflix execs have said is not yet happening), that could bring other headaches. Dade Hayes, Deadline, 27 Mar. 2026 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 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 3 Apr. 2026.

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