DOWNBEAT Synonyms: 85 Similar and Opposite Words

downbeat 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of downbeat

as in hopeless

emphasizing or expecting the worst a downbeat prediction for the company's sales performance in the upcoming year

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downbeat

2 of 2

noun

as in downturn

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Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of downbeat

Adjective

Vocally, The Afterparty doesn’t sound nearly as downbeat as its lyrics paint it. — Caitlin Wolper Phillips, Pitchfork, 20 May 2026 In a debate for the Democratic nomination for the Senate in Iowa this month, one of the moderators, Erin Murphy, asked the candidates, Josh Turek and Zach Wahls, both state legislators, a reasonable, if downbeat, question. — Amy Davidson Sorkin, New Yorker, 17 May 2026

Noun

The Kyrie opens with a strong D-major chord in the large orchestra that seems an obvious downbeat but turns out to be an upbeat. — Classical Music Critic, Los Angeles Times, 25 Feb. 2026 The physical thing is universal, like, downbeat is always down in every part of the world. — Megan Spurrell, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for downbeat

Recent Examples of Synonyms for downbeat

Adjective

Waymo’s fleet of autonomous taxis has garnered a reputation for causing mayhem on public streets, from trapping drivers in hours of hopeless gridlock to driving into oncoming traffic.

— Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 8 July 2026
Released in theaters on May 15, Obsession follows the harrowing path of Bear (Johnston), a lovelorn music store employee who has a hopeless crush on his co-worker, Nikki (Navarrette).

— Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026

Definition of hopeless

Noun

But Reddick shouldn’t yet be counted out because his recent downturn is more due to rotten luck than substandard performance.

— Jess Bryant, New York Times, 4 July 2026
Europe often moves the other way, hoarding labor through downturns, and analysts count that instinct among the reasons its productivity has recently stalled.

— Alexander Puutio, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026

Definition of downturn

Adjective

His willingness to move to Rio de Janeiro upon taking the job endeared him to the cynical public, as did his decision to call up Neymar to his squad to quieten the noise the forward’s potential exclusion would have brought with it.

— Chris Evans, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026
Against the run of play, the Atlas Lions won a free kick near the corner of the box after Luc De Fougerolles was booked for a cynical challenge.

— Patrick Sung Cuadrado, CNN Money, 4 July 2026

Definition of cynical

Noun

Even at the height of the Miami’s summer slowdown, one buyer just shelled out more than $27 million for a home in the neighborhood at 790 Lake Rd.

— Catherine Odom July 8, Miami Herald, 8 July 2026
New data from China indicates a significant slowdown in smartphone sales, with a 13% year-on-year decline during the 618 Shopping Festival.

— Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026

Definition of slowdown

Adjective

Workers are largely pessimistic about AI's impact on jobs, with 32% fearing fewer opportunities and only 6% expecting more, despite a recent shift in executive messaging.

— Caroline Castrillon, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026
Opinion polls suggest most Americans are proud of our founding story, but deeply conflicted and pessimistic about the future.

— Terry W. Hartle, Christian Science Monitor, 6 July 2026

Definition of pessimistic

Noun

Chipmakers are particularly vulnerable to this downswing, contrasting their recent strong performance, amidst ongoing concerns about a potential AI bubble.

— John Werner, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026
The Lions moved on from veteran offensive lineman Graham Glasgow, a once-reliable player on the downswing of his career, who struggled at center last season.

— Colton Pouncy, New York Times, 24 Apr. 2026

Definition of downswing

Adjective

Houssem Aouar finally spied a gap in the Austrian defence and sent Mahrez through to score, sparking jubilation before Sasa Kalajdzic’s header confirmed a ridiculous ending to a game that was dramatic, bleak and then dramatic again.

— Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 4 July 2026
Kehoe pointed to the state’s bleak finances in a statement explaining his cuts on Tuesday.

— Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 1 July 2026

Definition of bleak

Noun

The Foundation attributes the stagnation in Millennial incomes directly to the timing of recession entry.

— Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 3 July 2026
The former Scottish oil capital has suffered thousands of job losses and economic stagnation following the oil industry’s decline and has struggled to build the same momentum in offshore wind and hydrogen.

— Heather Farmbrough, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026