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
Here’s where the trip downshifts into Southern charm.
—
Lauren Schuster, Kansas City Star, 28 Apr. 2026
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
Lauren Schuster, Kansas City Star, 28 Apr. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for downshifts
Noun
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Research from Education Next shows the declines are not only in older grades, but also in pre-K and kindergarten.—
Tina Dello Russo,
Boston Herald,
10 May 2026
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The data also show a more recent turnaround, with declines in such crime and improved clearance rates.—
Hailey Wang,
Los Angeles Times,
9 May 2026
Noun
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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
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Lee announces the drops via Dover Sole Market’s Instagram stories Wednesday or Thursday for Saturday and Sunday pickup.—
Stephanie Breijo,
Los Angeles Times,
7 May 2026
Noun
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Beijing has been somewhat insulated from the conflict’s fallout thanks to its oil stockpile and aggressive push for renewables, but experts say it could be squeezed as a result of slowdowns in its key export markets.—
Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson,
semafor.com,
30 Apr. 2026
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The United Nations Development Programme reports that higher energy prices, disrupted food systems, and economic slowdowns triggered by the war could push up to thirty-two million people globally into poverty.—
Sudarsan Raghavan,
New Yorker,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Downshifts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downshifts. Accessed 12 May. 2026.
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