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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Recent Examples of downshifts
This increases alertness, boosts available energy and temporarily downshifts nonessential functions like digestion.
—
Daryl Austin, USA Today, 30 May 2026
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
Daryl Austin, USA Today, 30 May 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for downshifts
Noun
-
Such declines are evident, in part, through a sharp decrease in developers taking out building permits from City Hall for new construction, per the report.—
Gayla Cawley,
Boston Herald,
7 June 2026
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Housewares, clothing, footwear and sports equipment had the biggest declines, anywhere from 5% to 7%.—
Anne D'Innocenzio,
Fortune,
7 June 2026
Noun
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The latter is no small feat because supersonic speed dramatically changes the aerodynamics of an aircraft, making missile launches or bomb drops extremely difficult, to put it mildly.—
David Szondy
June 04,
New Atlas,
4 June 2026
-
Some rate drops are slowing, including the nights of four of seven matches at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
3 June 2026
Noun
-
At the time, the trade body was concerned about slowdowns in supply chains and more staff shortages, as air traffic controllers had been working without pay.—
Glenn Taylor,
Footwear News,
3 June 2026
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Long-range vision systems using laser lidar sensors also allow the system to gauge traffic conditions and speed, such as by detecting upcoming slowdowns.—
Alan Ohnsman,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Downshifts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downshifts. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
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