downdraft

noun

Definition of downdraftnext
as in downturn

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

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 downdraft Until the end of March, Mag 7 companies’ performance had been caught in the downdraft that hit the broader market as the war with Iran took hold. — Rob Wile, NBC news, 29 Apr. 2026 That perspective, in part, caused a huge downdraft in software companies earlier this year after a Claude Cowork tool sparked fears that, if machines can handle the work, why pay for software tools? — Andrew Graham, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2026 As the thunderstorm nears its end, the downdraft is stronger than the updraft, which had been the storm’s source of warm, moist air. — Mary Wasson, Austin American Statesman, 5 Mar. 2026 Then the downdraft hits, followed by a vicious tailwind, sending the aircraft to the ground. — Burkhard Bilger, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for downdraft
Recent Examples of Synonyms for downdraft
  1. downturn
  2. slowdown
  3. stagnation
  4. downtrend
  5. downswing
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
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
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
Definition of stagnation
Noun
  • But the technology-heavy Nasdaq Composite was able to buck the downtrend as traders bet recently volatility around memory stocks didn't signal fundamental trouble.
    — Alex Harring, CNBC, 9 July 2026
  • Fundraising then may pick up for VC firms after being stuck in a downtrend since a peak of $413 billion in 2022, according to PitchBook data, though the benefits won’t be immediate and will be contingent on public market reception.
    — Bloomberg, Mercury News, 11 June 2026
Definition of downtrend
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

Browse Nearby Words

downcast
downdraft
downdrafts
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Downdraft.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downdraft. Accessed 15 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on downdraft

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about downdraft

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 10
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
banana-mirrored
Contradictory Words Quiz Pick out which word means one thing…and the opp...
See All