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
as in downturn
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of downbeat
Daniel Dockery, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2025
The bleak survey results mirrored similarly downbeat readings in the Purdue University-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer Index, which fell 10 points in August to 125.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 20 Sep. 2025
David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 6 Sep. 2025
The market’s downbeat start to the week follows a strong run for stocks, which pushed further into record heights last week after a better-than-expected U.S. jobs report.
—Alex Veiga, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for downbeat
Adjective
To put it bluntly, Alien can be downbeat material.
—Daniel Dockery, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2025
The bleak survey results mirrored similarly downbeat readings in the Purdue University-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer Index, which fell 10 points in August to 125.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 20 Sep. 2025
Noun
In what seems like downbeat overkill, his sweet old dog’s cancer has spread, forcing him to have the animal euthanized.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 6 Sep. 2025
The market’s downbeat start to the week follows a strong run for stocks, which pushed further into record heights last week after a better-than-expected U.S. jobs report.
—Alex Veiga, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for downbeat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for downbeat
Adjective
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Things take a turn for the whimsical when, with the help of some lightning — and later, Taffy’s tanning bed — Lisa finds a companion in an undead, Victorian-era Cole Sprouse, a hopeless romantic who communicates exclusively in grunts, and whose devotion to Lisa knows no bounds.—
Bailey Richards,
PEOPLE,
31 Oct. 2025
-
The Jets are hopeless, with head coach Aaron Glenn pushing back on reporters weekly and owner Woody Johnson tossing his $40 million quarterback, Justin Fields, under the bus after another rough outing.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
25 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Airlines may defer new deliveries or maintenance spending during downturns, which can directly impact GE Aerospace's revenue streams.—
Michael Khouw,
CNBC,
10 Nov. 2025
-
The Global Port Tracker doesn’t have full projections for 2026 yet, but is expecting the downturn to endure throughout the first quarter of the year.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
10 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
The crimes with which she has been charged are trumped up and her arrest is a cynical ploy by the junta headed by Senior General Min Aung Hlaing to cling onto power.—
Kim Aris,
Time,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Is Alec’s folksiness sincere or cynical?—
Sophie Brookover,
Vulture,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The unexpected collapse of Technicolor triggered layoffs and production disruptions, while a broader post-pandemic slowdown has seen commissions drop nearly 30%.—
Ben Croll,
Variety,
7 Nov. 2025
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Airport numbers slow to rebound in Bay Area Potential air traffic slowdowns are arriving at a delicate time for airports, some of which have yet to recover from temporary travel restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic and the effects since.—
HECTOR AMEZCUA,
Sacbee.com,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
The modest pace of hiring, alongside a series of high-profile layoff announcements from major companies, helps explain why consumers remain pessimistic about the labor market.—
Bloomberg News,
Boston Herald,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Only voters in Virginia saw their state’s economy as excellent or good, while those in California, New York City and New Jersey took a more pessimistic view.—
Allison Morrow,
CNN Money,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
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With his brother, Josh, Benny has built a career on his fascination with these occasionally surly characters, often men on the downswing.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
9 Oct. 2025
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Sales at Dave & Buster’s have been on the downswing for quite some time, and Lal acknowledged that the trend is continuing this quarter.—
David Goldman,
CNN Money,
16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
When everything looks bleak, a woman holds it up victoriously.—
Kieran Press-Reynolds,
Pitchfork,
6 Nov. 2025
-
New York — US stocks closed lower Thursday as concerns mounted about expensive tech stocks, and a risk-off sentiment spread through markets after new data showed a bleak outlook for the job market.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
In the grim depths of stagnation, in late October 1982, a group of Soviet youths gather in Tallinn and form the punk band Velikije Luki.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
8 Nov. 2025
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That adaptability could be the difference between stagnation and success this holiday season.—
Ashley Lutz,
Fortune,
5 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Downbeat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downbeat. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.
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