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
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
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
-
After posting the fastest sales growth among major automakers in Europe last year, Renault’s performance has fallen off a cliff in 2026, with stark declines in several markets in January and February.—
Albertina Torsoli,
Bloomberg,
9 Mar. 2026
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Saudi Aramco’s shares rose the most in more than two years as investors bet that the rise in oil prices could offset declines in exports, Bloomberg reported.—
Amena Bakr,
semafor.com,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Napping drops with age to 47% of preschoolers (ages 3 to 5) and 28% of school-age children (6 to 13).—
Lily Hautau,
CNN Money,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Mix a few drops of one of the oils, two tablespoons of dishwashing liquid, and two cups of water in a spray bottle.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
The Spruce,
5 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 12 Mar. 2026.
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