as in decelerations
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 downshifts
As the 11-year cycle downshifts from solar maximum to solar minimum, the lights will begin to diminish in frequency and intensity.
—
The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Mar. 2026
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
Feel that lovely dog weight, dog density, as your dog settles and downshifts, grows heavy with unconsciousness, and makes the profound noises, the groans of contentment and secret multi-voweled suspirations, of a dog entering its sleep world.
—James Parker, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2025
Oddly or fortunately, the quipping downshifts dramatically from that point — gotta leave Baby Sherlock’s nascent interactions with Baby Watson and Baby Irene Adler for future seasons.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2019
The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Mar. 2026
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
Feel that lovely dog weight, dog density, as your dog settles and downshifts, grows heavy with unconsciousness, and makes the profound noises, the groans of contentment and secret multi-voweled suspirations, of a dog entering its sleep world.
—James Parker, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2025
Oddly or fortunately, the quipping downshifts dramatically from that point — gotta leave Baby Sherlock’s nascent interactions with Baby Watson and Baby Irene Adler for future seasons.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for downshifts
Noun
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The declines come after a winning week for Wall Street, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite climbing to all-time highs last week following a ceasefire between Iran and Lebanon.—
Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
20 Apr. 2026
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The declines have been escalating in recent months.—
Gary Baum,
HollywoodReporter,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
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To keep it simple, combine 1 cup of baking soda with 10 drops of your choice of citrus or lavender oil, then sprinkle it over soft surfaces such as carpets or upholstered furniture.—
Olivia McIntosh,
Martha Stewart,
16 Apr. 2026
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For anyone who has only ever experienced rain as something that gradually builds — a few drops, then more, then a steady fall — a wall of rain upends that expectation entirely.—
Hanna Wickes,
Miami Herald,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
That small area was seeing slight slowdowns in both directions.—
Ed Masley,
AZCentral.com,
9 Apr. 2026
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Descartes said this reflected residual impacts from February’s late Lunar New Year, as typical 30-to-50-day transit times can shift production slowdowns into March arrival volumes.—
Glenn Taylor,
Footwear News,
9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Downshifts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downshifts. Accessed 22 Apr. 2026.
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