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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

But the series producers make great use of their access with a powerful scene that catches the team at its most downbeat, having crashed out of the Nations League with a loss to Panama. — Beau Dure, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026 Finding clever new ways to tell a familiar story of crooked cops and small-town corruption, the movie calls to mind both the deadpan thrillers of the Coen brothers and the downbeat ’70s crime flicks of French helmer Alain Corneau. — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 22 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

Michael Johnston plays Bear, a music store employee who has a hopeless crush on his co-worker Nikki.

— Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026
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

Definition of hopeless

Noun

Experts note the post-COVID market downturn creates unique adaptive reuse opportunities, preserving urban character.

— Jeffrey Steele, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
In addition to profit-taking, the downturn may also reflect jitters about immense investment in AI, the analysts said, especially as Wall Street anticipates a possible hike in interest rates later this year.

— Max Zahn, ABC News, 17 July 2026

Definition of downturn

Adjective

To complete the drama, England finished with 13, Argentina with 15 when Henry Pollock was sent to the sin-bin over team infringements and Emmanuel Iyogun, on debut, for cynical offending.

— ABC News, ABC News, 18 July 2026
Booked even earlier than Romero for a cynical foul, he was substituted partly out of fear of a second yellow in the 72nd minute.

— Liam Twomey, New York Times, 16 July 2026

Definition of cynical

Noun

That reflects a long-running slowdown in home construction driven by rising expenses from materials and labor as well as changes in local zoning and permitting rules and lingering scars from the 2008 subprime mortgage collapse.

— Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 17 July 2026
Cramer said investors were too focused on a slowdown in order growth after an exceptionally strong stretch.

— Alexa LoMonaco, CNBC, 16 July 2026

Definition of slowdown

Adjective

The optimistic, neutral, and pessimistic cases A chief reason to put orbital data centers in space is the free, limitless power from the Sun.

— Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 15 July 2026
Homebuilders may choose to not pick up their hammers if market conditions aren't right, and developers have been pessimistic about those conditions for the last three years, partially due to high material and labor costs.

— Stephan Bisaha, NPR, 10 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