DOWNTURN Synonyms: 85 Similar and Opposite Words

downturn

noun

Definition of downturn

as in slump

a situation in which something (such as business or economic activity) decreases or becomes worse

—usually singular an economic downturn There's been a downturn in the housing market.

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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 downturn Similarly, the stock market experienced a downturn yesterday. — Brittney Melton, NPR, 6 Nov. 2026 But as luxury brands continue to offset a downturn in aspirational spending by engaging their VICs IRL, the Balich Wonder Studio chairman and creative director’s insights are, in fact, very helpful. — Ari Stark, Footwear News, 5 Nov. 2026 The downturn in markets largely reversed blockbuster gains from the previous session. — Max Zahn, ABC News, 5 Nov. 2026 The reserve fund is intended to help the state maintain essential services during economic downturns, when tax revenues may fall. — Richard Ramos, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026 See All Example Sentences for downturn

Recent Examples of Synonyms for downturn

Noun

Those issues were seen as the driving force behind the ANC’s latest slump in support.

— Gerald Imray, Los Angeles Times, 10 Nov. 2026
Stocks are extending their recovery rally to a second straight session after Thursday's postelection market slump.

— Jeff Marks,Matthew J. Belvedere,Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 9 Nov. 2026

Definition of slump

Noun

The officer positioned themself ahead of the vehicle and deployed tire deflation devices, disabling the vehicle’s front driver’s-side tire, according to police.

— Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 30 Oct. 2026
Starbucks is also projecting slight deflation in coffee prices and slowing net new North American cafe openings, which will both weigh on its full-year revenue, according to CFO Cathy Smith.

— Amelia Lucas, CNBC, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of deflation

Noun

Survey data published last week show a sharp decrease in violent crime from 2024 to 2025, which is consistent with FBI numbers released last summer.

— Jacob Sullum, Oc Register, 12 Nov. 2026
Industry nonprofit Brewers Association reports a year-over-year decrease of breweries by nearly 3%.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 12 Nov. 2026

Definition of decrease

Noun

The researchers concluded that healthy sleep might weaken the link between a cardiometabolic disease and poorer cognitive performance and brain shrinkage.

— Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 4 Nov. 2026
Using high heat settings and forgetting to use dryer sheets or wool dryer balls can also contribute to sheet shrinkage and stiffness.

— Abby Monteil, The Spruce, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of shrinkage

Noun

Analysts blame the falloff on Converse’s inability to innovate and its overreliance on the Chuck Taylor model, Fortune’s Phil Wahba reports.

— Jim Edwards, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026
Sarandos told investors in July that such declines are typical and that second season falloff is slightly improved this year.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of falloff

Noun

Goddard’s diminution is part of a broader pivot at NASA as the White House redirects the space agency to put American astronauts on the moon by 2028.

— Eric Niiler, Scientific American, 22 Sep. 2026
Around the halfway point of Chekhov’s The Cherry Orchard, Petya Trofimov — eternal grad student, moral purist, and former tutor to the once wealthy family whose diminution sits at the heart of the play — makes a speech.

— Sara Holdren, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of diminution

Noun

Every reduction in violence strengthens our communities and makes Arkansas safer for the people who call it home.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 13 Nov. 2026
The state’s climate goals aim for economy-wide, net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, with interim targets of 45% reduction by 2030 and 65% by 2040, all relative to 2001 levels.

— Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 13 Nov. 2026

Definition of reduction

Browse Nearby Words

downtrodden

downturn

downturns

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“Downturn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downturn. Accessed 13 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of downturn

noun

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