as in reducing
to make smaller in amount, volume, or extent
the company downsized its overseas operations in an attempt to cut costs
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of downsizing
Mark Critchley, New York Times, 3 May 2026
The downsizing of the district’s operations will largely fund the 5% increases, Licata said.
—Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Apr. 2026
Previously, warfare was about expensive platforms and precision strikes, driving a downsizing in military forces as countries increasingly relied on cutting-edge technology, said Blythe Crawford, former commandant of the RAF’s Air and Space Warfare Centre.
—Elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 10 Apr. 2026
That raised concerns about layoffs in an industry that has sustained significant downsizing in recent years as viewers and advertisers migrate to streaming options and social media platforms like TikTok.
—Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2026
But really, the company’s downsizing had been months in the making, foreshadowed by the $31 million sale of its creative office space in Santa Monica in the fall.
—Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 7 Apr. 2026
The availability rate is a combination of spaces that are empty and being offered directly for lease, spaces that are offered for sublease, and spaces that will soon be empty because the tenant is exiting the site or downsizing.
—George Avalos, Mercury News, 6 Apr. 2026
The poxvirus and rabies labs lost about half their prior staff, and the CDC's malaria branch was gutted even more, according to the National Public Health Coalition, an organization of former and current CDC workers that formed in the wake of the downsizing.
—CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
The poxvirus and rabies labs lost about half their prior staff, and the CDC’s malaria branch was gutted even more, according to the National Public Health Coalition, an organization of former and current CDC workers that formed in the wake of the downsizing.
—CNN Money, 2 Apr. 2026
Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 11 May 2026
Right now, the district is undergoing a major downsizing effort, which includes closing schools and laying off hundreds of employees, due to declining enrollment.
—Scott Travis, Sun Sentinel, 9 May 2026
Because of downsizing, wait times on the 1-800 number soared last year, with reports of hours-long holds.
—E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 7 May 2026
According to Norfolk State, Lucas became an assistant professor at the school in 1994, managing research efforts and procuring federal aid for retraining programs to offset military and defense industry downsizing in the region.
—Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 6 May 2026
For those close to retirement, consider downsizing and moving to a location with lower taxes and lower costs.
—Elliot Raphaelson, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Apr. 2026
Regulatory filings have already indicated that would include layoffs and downsizing some overlapping operations.
—Wyatte Grantham-Philips, Fortune, 23 Apr. 2026
Regulatory filings have indicated that the new ownership will be looking for ways to cut costs — including layoffs and downsizing some overlapping operations.
—ABC News, 23 Apr. 2026
Siegel began downsizing during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the boxes her mother had accumulated became harder to ignore.
—Panashe Matemba-Mutasa, Mercury News, 22 Apr. 2026
Noun
This downsizing of operations at Old Trafford coincided with the most downsized season since the start of the First World War, though, and next term will be a greater test of United’s streamlined operations.
—Mark Critchley, New York Times, 3 May 2026
The downsizing of the district’s operations will largely fund the 5% increases, Licata said.
—Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Apr. 2026
Previously, warfare was about expensive platforms and precision strikes, driving a downsizing in military forces as countries increasingly relied on cutting-edge technology, said Blythe Crawford, former commandant of the RAF’s Air and Space Warfare Centre.
—Elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 10 Apr. 2026
That raised concerns about layoffs in an industry that has sustained significant downsizing in recent years as viewers and advertisers migrate to streaming options and social media platforms like TikTok.
—Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2026
But really, the company’s downsizing had been months in the making, foreshadowed by the $31 million sale of its creative office space in Santa Monica in the fall.
—Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 7 Apr. 2026
The availability rate is a combination of spaces that are empty and being offered directly for lease, spaces that are offered for sublease, and spaces that will soon be empty because the tenant is exiting the site or downsizing.
—George Avalos, Mercury News, 6 Apr. 2026
The poxvirus and rabies labs lost about half their prior staff, and the CDC's malaria branch was gutted even more, according to the National Public Health Coalition, an organization of former and current CDC workers that formed in the wake of the downsizing.
—CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
The poxvirus and rabies labs lost about half their prior staff, and the CDC’s malaria branch was gutted even more, according to the National Public Health Coalition, an organization of former and current CDC workers that formed in the wake of the downsizing.
—CNN Money, 2 Apr. 2026
Verb
The news division shuttered in 2023 amid downsizing.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 11 May 2026
Right now, the district is undergoing a major downsizing effort, which includes closing schools and laying off hundreds of employees, due to declining enrollment.
—Scott Travis, Sun Sentinel, 9 May 2026
Because of downsizing, wait times on the 1-800 number soared last year, with reports of hours-long holds.
—E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 7 May 2026
According to Norfolk State, Lucas became an assistant professor at the school in 1994, managing research efforts and procuring federal aid for retraining programs to offset military and defense industry downsizing in the region.
—Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 6 May 2026
For those close to retirement, consider downsizing and moving to a location with lower taxes and lower costs.
—Elliot Raphaelson, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Apr. 2026
Regulatory filings have already indicated that would include layoffs and downsizing some overlapping operations.
—Wyatte Grantham-Philips, Fortune, 23 Apr. 2026
Regulatory filings have indicated that the new ownership will be looking for ways to cut costs — including layoffs and downsizing some overlapping operations.
—ABC News, 23 Apr. 2026
Siegel began downsizing during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the boxes her mother had accumulated became harder to ignore.
—Panashe Matemba-Mutasa, Mercury News, 22 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for downsizing
Noun
-
Daskalakis, who quit the CDC last summer in protest of the firing of its director at the time, Susan Monarez, raised some concern about the prospects of such infections.—
Helen Branswell,
STAT,
11 May 2026
-
Kornberg said the town's attorney, Bryan Rayburn, told the council the officers' firings hadn't followed the town charter, which requires 30 days' notice be given before employees can be suspended or removed.—
Dan Raby,
CBS News,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
Eco effort The Pig group’s 25-mile menu keeps suppliers local, reducing food miles and packaging in the process.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
16 May 2026
-
Its document generation tools guide founders through complex legal processes step by step, reducing errors and ensuring completeness.—
AllBusiness,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2026
Noun
-
Rocky, meanwhile, wore a camel trench over a gray tee, along with black jeans and combat boots.—
Toria Sheffield,
PEOPLE,
17 May 2026
-
Some patients with bunions, hammertoes, or Morton’s neuroma (which can cause a sensation that feels like a pebble in your shoe) require boots with a wider toe box.—
Francesca Krempa,
Travel + Leisure,
16 May 2026
Verb
-
As chairman, Cassidy has had several clashes with the White House over confirmations, including for Kennedy due to his support for decreasing the number of vaccines children receive.—
Gabrielle M. Etzel,
The Washington Examiner,
13 May 2026
-
San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie announced an overall 4% decrease, and unsheltered homelessness decreasing by 22% since the 2024 count.—
Robin Epley,
Sacbee.com,
13 May 2026
Noun
-
In some cases, that may involve flexibility around closing timelines, occupancy dates, or smaller logistical considerations that can influence how an offer is perceived in a competitive environment.—
Connie Etemadi,
USA Today,
13 May 2026
-
Borrowers will often be able to float it down before closing and, in the interim, won't need to worry about any other incremental increases.—
Matt Richardson,
CBS News,
13 May 2026
Noun
-
After finishing 31st in sacks (26) and dead last in turnover margin last season (four), the Jets need immediate production from Bailey during his rookie campaign.—
Antwan Staley,
New York Daily News,
9 May 2026
-
Ayangbile, who is listed at 6-2 and 265 pounds, had 50 tackles, eight tackles for loss and three sacks last season at Langham Creek High in Houston, Texas.—
Adam Lichtenstein,
Sun Sentinel,
8 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Downsizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downsizing. Accessed 18 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
