as in deceleration
a usually gradual decrease in the pace or level of activity of something
there are promising indications of a turnaround in the prolonged economic downshift
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of downshift
In an awards season filled with human suffering, the premise is a refreshing downshift.
—
David Sims, The Atlantic, 9 Jan. 2026
That’s a big downshift from the first four months of the year, when job creation averaged 123,000, not to mention the 168,000 per month in 2024 and 216,000 in 2023.
—Jill Schlesinger, Mercury News, 22 Dec. 2025
Speaking of which, Honda also gives you an assist/slipper clutch that ought to help you with your downshifts.
—New Atlas, 5 Nov. 2025
But Sport mode was always selected soon after, which, besides adding rev-match downshifts and turning off auto stop/start, adds sharp exhaust tones to its deep-bass-induction soundtrack.
—Peter Nelson, Robb Report, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for downshift
David Sims, The Atlantic, 9 Jan. 2026
That’s a big downshift from the first four months of the year, when job creation averaged 123,000, not to mention the 168,000 per month in 2024 and 216,000 in 2023.
—Jill Schlesinger, Mercury News, 22 Dec. 2025
Speaking of which, Honda also gives you an assist/slipper clutch that ought to help you with your downshifts.
—New Atlas, 5 Nov. 2025
But Sport mode was always selected soon after, which, besides adding rev-match downshifts and turning off auto stop/start, adds sharp exhaust tones to its deep-bass-induction soundtrack.
—Peter Nelson, Robb Report, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for downshift
Recent Examples of Synonyms for downshift
Noun
-
In its most recent quarterly results, Microsoft’s closely watched Azure cloud-computing division posted a slight deceleration in growth from the prior quarter.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Do note, though, that the airbag will activate only in frontal accidents and under certain deceleration conditions.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
An earlier study, published in the American Economic Journal, found that field-office closures led to a sixteen-per-cent decline in disability recipients in the surrounding areas.—
E. Tammy Kim,
New Yorker,
7 May 2026
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The clues are all in his writing, the structure of the sentence, the tracking of it, the fast decline into being inebriated.—
Caitlin Huston,
HollywoodReporter,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
Then, put your ballot into a mailbox or secure drop box, or deliver it to a voting center or county elections office.—
Abby Hamblin,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 May 2026
-
Two aviation courses are expected to take place, including water drops, passenger loading, cargo handling and refining communications, according to a release.—
Corey Schmidt,
Sacbee.com,
7 May 2026
Noun
-
Investigators meticulously documented the warning signs that should have alerted the driver to the looming braking problems.—
Jake Goodrick,
Sacbee.com,
9 May 2026
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Brembo has started mass production of its new Sensify braking system, becoming the first fully fluid-free brake-by-wire setup to reach production cars.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
7 May 2026
Noun
-
That distinction is the crux of the matter for luxury brands, already beset by the overall luxury slowdown, pushback on rising prices, and growing influencer oversaturation.—
Rhonda Richford,
Footwear News,
12 May 2026
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Analysts warned that reliance on a narrow group of exporters could amplify volatility and leave markets vulnerable to shocks ranging from geopolitical tensions to a slowdown in data-center spending.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
12 May 2026
Noun
-
The Everrati's left pedal operates pads on discs in the normal fashion, but the motors also give powerful regenerative retardation when the accelerator is lifted.—
Mike Duff,
Car and Driver,
18 June 2021
-
The policy of retardation of submarine technology ended right after the beginning of the Anglo-German naval race (marked by the German Naval Laws of 1898 and 1900).—
chicagotribune.com,
chicagotribune.com,
28 July 2017
Noun
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And a chronic shortage of homes for sale nationally, due partly to years of below-average new home construction, has helped prop up home prices even in a multiyear sales slump.—
Alex Veiga,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2026
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The hard-right Reform UK party was the main beneficiary of Labour’s slump.—
Isa Soares,
CNN Money,
12 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Downshift.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downshift. Accessed 14 May. 2026.
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