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.
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 downturns
In each of the two oil crises of 1973 and 1979, the world lost about 5 million barrels of oil a day, causing major global economic downturns, Fatih Birol told the National Press Club of Australia in Canberra.
—
Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 23 Mar. 2026
These stock-heavy portfolios can leave people painfully exposed to downturns.
—Liz Weston, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Mar. 2026
The downturns of more than a percentage point of view share for a range of outlets.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 20 Mar. 2026
The rankings are based on a three-year average, which smooths out spikes and dips occasioned by big events such as war or financial downturns.
—Jeanne Bonner, CNN Money, 19 Mar. 2026
While recent market jitters have rattled investors, Kotowski said private credit managers have historically emerged stronger from downturns because of their longer-term capital structures.
—Hugh Leask, CNBC, 17 Mar. 2026
America's wine industry is grappling with one of its most painful downturns in decades as younger consumers cut back on drinking and baby boomers age out of the market — reshaping alcohol habits nationwide.
—Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 12 Mar. 2026
The company has survived in an industry rife with downturns.
—Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 11 Mar. 2026
Economic downturns changed that mindset.
—Sacbee.com, 4 Mar. 2026
Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 23 Mar. 2026
These stock-heavy portfolios can leave people painfully exposed to downturns.
—Liz Weston, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Mar. 2026
The downturns of more than a percentage point of view share for a range of outlets.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 20 Mar. 2026
The rankings are based on a three-year average, which smooths out spikes and dips occasioned by big events such as war or financial downturns.
—Jeanne Bonner, CNN Money, 19 Mar. 2026
While recent market jitters have rattled investors, Kotowski said private credit managers have historically emerged stronger from downturns because of their longer-term capital structures.
—Hugh Leask, CNBC, 17 Mar. 2026
America's wine industry is grappling with one of its most painful downturns in decades as younger consumers cut back on drinking and baby boomers age out of the market — reshaping alcohol habits nationwide.
—Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 12 Mar. 2026
The company has survived in an industry rife with downturns.
—Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 11 Mar. 2026
Economic downturns changed that mindset.
—Sacbee.com, 4 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for downturns
Noun
-
More generally speaking, there is a case that City are contending with different physical challenges this season, something that could be behind second-half slumps and sluggishness without the ball.—
James Horncastle,
New York Times,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Its housing market has also crashed, with major centers Auckland and Wellington suffering among their worst slumps in history, following a post-pandemic surge – with prices down nearly 30% in the capital since January 2022.—
Laura Sharman,
CNN Money,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
And across the nation, only four states saw decreases in their bills.—
Sasha Allen,
Hartford Courant,
21 Mar. 2026
-
Since67 2024, the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation has received dozens of residential filings requesting rate decreases or zero-percent increases.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
15 Mar. 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
-
Some lawmakers think the staff reductions are hampering farmers’ ability to access programs.—
Patricia Kime,
USA Today,
23 Mar. 2026
-
That this goes ignored at the expense of flight reductions, flight delays and passenger safety is egregious.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
23 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
One face is of marble and tall glass with a few neo- classical dips and angles, dignified, but probably more suitable for a post office out in the stern Midwest than an urban bayscape in South Florida.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
27 Mar. 2026
-
The district saw significant dips in pre-K and kindergarten.—
Jessica Ma,
Dallas Morning News,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
But Miami is really two losses behind Orlando because the Magic hold the head-to-head tiebreaker after sweeping the regular-season series 5-0.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
24 Mar. 2026
-
Powell exited more concerned about the losses than the role.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
How do Amazon shoppers return items at these store drop-offs?—
Chad Murphy,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Many promise drop-offs in under an hour.—
Jasmin Malik Chua,
Sourcing Journal,
17 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The answer is not much—Fennell makes explicit, via sadomasochism, the power differentials and emotional degradations that are so often ambiguous in the original.—
Rhian Sasseen,
The Atlantic,
10 Mar. 2026
-
If Wyatt and Surrey could pen brilliant sonnets under Tudor tyranny, then certainly great art can be produced under capitalism despite its particular degradations.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Downturns.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downturns. Accessed 30 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
