as in reducing
to make smaller in amount, volume, or extent
the company downsized its overseas operations in an attempt to cut costs
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Recent Examples of downsizing
Jonathan Vanian,julia Boorstin, CNBC, 18 May 2026
Pope gained responsibility for the unscripted TV business earlier this spring as part of a restructuring and downsizing, which resulted in hundreds of layoffs in the Japanese company’s entertainment business.
—Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2026
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
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
Ari Stark, Footwear News, 19 May 2026
Her center-right government, which has been in power since 2023 and campaigned then on downsizing the public sector, faces a fresh election in November.
—ABC News, 18 May 2026
The 1,500-square-foot space used to be home to a Starbucks, which closed in the fall as part of the national chain’s downsizing.
—Max Scheinblum, Denver Post, 13 May 2026
The problem could be helped by downsizing.
—Devika Rao, TheWeek, 13 May 2026
Still, the tiny house manages to fit the essentials for downsizing into its compact towable frame – and does so at an affordable price.
—Adam Williams
may 12, New Atlas, 12 May 2026
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
Noun
The current downsizing follows cuts of about 1,000 staffers in January in the company's Reality Labs unit, and reductions in March impacting hundreds more workers, along with the decision to shift away from third-party vendors and contractors tasked with content moderation tasks.
—Jonathan Vanian,julia Boorstin, CNBC, 18 May 2026
Pope gained responsibility for the unscripted TV business earlier this spring as part of a restructuring and downsizing, which resulted in hundreds of layoffs in the Japanese company’s entertainment business.
—Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2026
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
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
That’s why Parsons sharpened its 2026 BFA show Sunday, by making access more exclusive, downsizing from 263 participants last year to 31.
—Ari Stark, Footwear News, 19 May 2026
Her center-right government, which has been in power since 2023 and campaigned then on downsizing the public sector, faces a fresh election in November.
—ABC News, 18 May 2026
The 1,500-square-foot space used to be home to a Starbucks, which closed in the fall as part of the national chain’s downsizing.
—Max Scheinblum, Denver Post, 13 May 2026
The problem could be helped by downsizing.
—Devika Rao, TheWeek, 13 May 2026
Still, the tiny house manages to fit the essentials for downsizing into its compact towable frame – and does so at an affordable price.
—Adam Williams
may 12, New Atlas, 12 May 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for downsizing
Noun
-
Before firing, the system was pressure-tested for leaks.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
25 May 2026
-
Mass firings have led to last-minute hearing cancellations, cases have been reset with little notice, and clients are often left in prolonged legal limbo, leaving them vulnerable to deportation.—
Olga R. Rodriguez,
Los Angeles Times,
24 May 2026
Verb
-
The majority-Republican House Committee on Appropriations proposed on Wednesday less extreme but still substantial cuts, slashing 20% from the agency and reducing funding to the state clean water programs by almost 25%.—
Adriana Pérez,
Chicago Tribune,
24 May 2026
-
On the next play, an Evans flyout scored Rey, reducing the deficit to 6-3.—
Matt Murschel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
24 May 2026
Noun
-
As the layers dwindle, winter boots get swapped for flip-flops, and fresh seasonal haircuts enter the chat, the anticipation is half the fun.—
Frances Solá-Santiago,
InStyle,
24 May 2026
-
Cargill hit a superkick on Ripley, then Flair blasted Cargill with a big boot.—
Blake Oestriecher,
Forbes.com,
24 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
-
Richard Lovelady was designated for assignment nine times in the last two years, including once by the Nats, and is now closing games for them.—
Spencer Nusbaum,
New York Times,
21 May 2026
-
In the movie’s closing credits, Hansen-Løve is among the names singled out for a thank you from the director.—
Josh Slater-Williams,
IndieWire,
20 May 2026
Noun
-
Guardiola himself had feared the sack during that first season.—
Sam Lee,
New York Times,
25 May 2026
-
The Deland defense was led by Banks, who had three sacks in the game and made numerous tackles, wreaking havoc all night.—
Chris Hays,
The Orlando Sentinel,
23 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Downsizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downsizing. Accessed 27 May. 2026.
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