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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
-
Recent easing failed to prevent spending declines in several consumer categories.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
29 Mar. 2026
-
However, the declines are minimal versus their two-year runs.—
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The median decline was 25%, and four stores saw drops significantly steeper than that.—
April Quevedo,
jsonline.com,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Health precautions If air quality drops, stay indoors as much as possible.—
Brandi D. Addison,
Des Moines Register,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Travel disruptions are expected along major corridors, including Interstate 5, where slowdowns and hazards from standing water may persist into late week.—
Brandi D. Addison,
USA Today,
10 Mar. 2026
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The strike comes as travelers in the United States face potential slowdowns at airport security and the continual suspension of the popular Global Entry trusted traveler program here due to an ongoing partial government shutdown impacting the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).—
Michael Cappetta,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Downshifts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downshifts. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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