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.

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

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 Bell is aware of the debate around whether the state’s recent efforts to sweeten its production tax incentive program is coming as too little too late amid the sharp downturn in lensing activity in Los Angeles County. — Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 25 July 2026 But the broader downturn makes Tesla that much more crucial to keeping the electric dream alive. — Tim Levin, The Atlantic, 24 July 2026 When the restaurant’s patron reveals a major downturn in his investment portfolio, the frenetic urgency that’s long defined the show is joined by the despondency of a sinking ship. — Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 22 July 2026 The surgery came just two weeks after it was announced that Mette-Marit was being placed on a lung transplant waiting list and canceling future outings due to the downturn in her health. — Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 21 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for downturn

Recent Examples of Synonyms for downturn

Noun

Facing a housing slump and declining consumption at home, China has ramped up exports to other nations to buttress slowing economic growth.

— Stephanie Yang, CNN Money, 30 July 2026
The stock sank more than 7% in after-hours trading, extending a slump that’s pushed it down 11% for the year as of Wednesday’s close.

— Jonathan Vanian, CNBC, 30 July 2026

Definition of slump

Noun

Although the county has experienced a significant decrease in its birth rate over the past decade, its 2024 rate was notably higher compared to the United States, according to the most recent data from Tarrant County Public Health.

— Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 July 2026
Overdose deaths in Vermont dropped last year to 170, a 37 percent decrease from the peak in 2022, but still far above the 78 deaths recorded in 2010.

— Michael Powell, The Atlantic, 30 July 2026

Definition of decrease

Noun

Sisters with lower blood folate (vitamin B9) levels tended to show greater brain shrinkage and weaker cognitive performance, particularly when their homocysteine levels were elevated.

— Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 July 2026
Sisters with lower blood folate, or vitamin B9, tended to show greater brain shrinkage and weaker cognitive performance than those with higher levels.

— Samantha Agate, Sacbee.com, 16 July 2026

Definition of shrinkage

Noun

With two new teams in the league, a big turnaround from the Wings, and somewhat of a falloff from the Aces and Liberty, there might be some new excitement in the postseason.

— David Troy, FOXNews.com, 21 July 2026
The Padres have good reason to believe that Machado, Tatis and Merrill will show significant gains over the next four months, with Bogaerts looking to weather a recent one-month falloff.

— Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 June 2026

Definition of falloff

Noun

Those signals together confirmed that the stock's character had shifted from a sustained uptrend to a downtrend.

— Assiatou Hann, CNBC, 29 July 2026
Fundraising then may pick up for VC firms after being stuck in a downtrend since a peak of $413 billion in 2022, according to PitchBook data, though the benefits won’t be immediate and will be contingent on public market reception.

— Bloomberg, Mercury News, 11 June 2026

Definition of downtrend

Noun

But one of the most immediate and visible consequences of 1898 was the diminution of the city’s Black population.

— Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 3 July 2026
The plaintiffs are seeking unspecified compensation and punitive damages for emotional distress, the temporary loss of property use and the long-term diminution of property value caused by chemical stigma.

— Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 29 May 2026

Definition of diminution

Noun

The district has struggled financially for years before the latest reductions.

— Velvet Wu July 25, Sacbee.com, 25 July 2026
The precise impact of any individual funding reduction is difficult to quantify because the Ebola outbreak and its spread has been influenced by many factors, including political turmoil, armed conflict and mistrust in healthcare workers.

— Omer Awan, Forbes.com, 24 July 2026

Definition of reduction

Browse Nearby Words

downtrodden

downturn

downturns

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Downturn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downturn. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of downturn

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on downturn

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

spindrift

Popular in Grammar & Usage

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Your vs. You're: How to Use Them Correctly

Popular in Wordplay

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

The Words of the Week - Jul. 31

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes