as in deflations
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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Recent Examples of downturns
In early March, the CEO of a major studio soundstage operator indicated that a few markets that had been seen as up-and-coming production players were now starting to experience some film and TV downturns.
—
Erik Hayden, HollywoodReporter, 28 Apr. 2026
Unlike gold, neither platinum nor palladium is considered a reliable safe-haven asset during economic downturns.
—Sharon Wu, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2026
Industry associations frame the career as one with enviable job security, given the ever-increasing need for nurses that supersedes economic downturns.
—Tristan Bove, Fortune, 23 Apr. 2026
L’Oreal, which operates in an industry adjacent to both consumer goods and luxury, has proven to be resilient to macroeconomic challenges and general sector downturns.
—Elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 23 Apr. 2026
The gap in median home values leads to significant differences in family wealth, which in turn affects retirement savings, the ability to pay for college and the financial cushion available during economic downturns.
—Grigoris Argeros, The Conversation, 21 Apr. 2026
Frey adds that society’s resistance to automation tends to coincide with economic downturns, like during the Great Depression, or recessions in the 1960s.
—Lorena O’Neil, Rolling Stone, 16 Apr. 2026
Ahead, the inevitable downturns will tell us more about Stammen.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026
People who have already retired may want to cut back on spending and withdrawals after sharp market downturns, because bigger withdrawals will remove more potential compounding ability in the future.
—Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2026
Erik Hayden, HollywoodReporter, 28 Apr. 2026
Unlike gold, neither platinum nor palladium is considered a reliable safe-haven asset during economic downturns.
—Sharon Wu, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2026
Industry associations frame the career as one with enviable job security, given the ever-increasing need for nurses that supersedes economic downturns.
—Tristan Bove, Fortune, 23 Apr. 2026
L’Oreal, which operates in an industry adjacent to both consumer goods and luxury, has proven to be resilient to macroeconomic challenges and general sector downturns.
—Elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 23 Apr. 2026
The gap in median home values leads to significant differences in family wealth, which in turn affects retirement savings, the ability to pay for college and the financial cushion available during economic downturns.
—Grigoris Argeros, The Conversation, 21 Apr. 2026
Frey adds that society’s resistance to automation tends to coincide with economic downturns, like during the Great Depression, or recessions in the 1960s.
—Lorena O’Neil, Rolling Stone, 16 Apr. 2026
Ahead, the inevitable downturns will tell us more about Stammen.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026
People who have already retired may want to cut back on spending and withdrawals after sharp market downturns, because bigger withdrawals will remove more potential compounding ability in the future.
—Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for downturns
Noun
-
Sometimes, players just go through slumps.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
7 May 2026
-
When managing a schedule of roughly 60 games, there isn’t time to be patient or let hitters work through slumps.—
Andrew Baggarly,
New York Times,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
All of the cumulative regions the wave passes through, with all of the growth and shrinkages that occur, imprint themselves onto the wave, as do the initial and final gravitational potentials.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
After two years of aggressive decreases in auto theft rates, every tool needs to be used to return to that trend.—
Ubah Ali,
CBS News,
9 May 2026
-
Carroll Rivas added that decreases of nonviolent incidents in the audit appear in part attributed to fewer in-person events, leaflet or flyer distributions or other gatherings, particularly among white nationalists and neo-Nazis.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
Offseason price falloffs are common in all sports, and those at the top are often among the most impacted.—
Benjamin Burrows,
New York Times,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The charge carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, but the plea agreement says the government will recommend level reductions in the sentencing guidelines.—
Andrew Blankstein,
NBC news,
12 May 2026
-
And their representatives on Monday did not rule out coming back to the city to ask for additional reductions as the work advances.—
Jake Sheridan,
Chicago Tribune,
11 May 2026
Noun
-
Harry Styles uses ice baths for post-show recovery and frequently swims outdoors, including dips at Dublin’s Vico Baths.—
Hanna Wickes,
Sacbee.com,
8 May 2026
-
Harry Styles uses ice baths for post-show recovery and mental clarity, and frequently engages in outdoor cold-water swimming, including notable dips at Dublin’s Vico Baths.—
Hanna Wickes,
Charlotte Observer,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
Similar deteriorations took place in Tuscany and in Naples.—
Britannica Editors,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Until late in the season, Indiana had more losses than any other program in college football history.—
Antonio Morales,
New York Times,
12 May 2026
-
Laurel won’t have a Triple Crown contender to offset losses.—
Sam Cohn,
Baltimore Sun,
11 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Downturns.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downturns. Accessed 12 May. 2026.
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