DOWNSHIFTS Synonyms: 20 Similar and Opposite Words

downshifts

noun

plural of downshift

as in decelerations

a usually gradual decrease in the pace or level of activity of something there are promising indications of a turnaround in the prolonged economic downshift

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

accelerations

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 downshifts Here’s where the trip downshifts into Southern charm. — Lauren Schuster, Kansas City Star, 28 Apr. 2026 Speaking of which, Honda also gives you an assist/slipper clutch that ought to help you with your downshifts. — New Atlas, 5 Nov. 2025 The already dirge-like film downshifts further, towards a more pleasant state of repose, as Robin convalesces. — David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 11 June 2026 But Sport mode was always selected soon after, which, besides adding rev-match downshifts and turning off auto stop/start, adds sharp exhaust tones to its deep-bass-induction soundtrack. — Peter Nelson, Robb Report, 1 Oct. 2025 As the 11-year cycle downshifts from solar maximum to solar minimum, the lights will begin to diminish in frequency and intensity. — The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Mar. 2026 This increases alertness, boosts available energy and temporarily downshifts nonessential functions like digestion. — Daryl Austin, USA Today, 30 May 2026 Feel that lovely dog weight, dog density, as your dog settles and downshifts, grows heavy with unconsciousness, and makes the profound noises, the groans of contentment and secret multi-voweled suspirations, of a dog entering its sleep world. — James Parker, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2025 Oddly or fortunately, the quipping downshifts dramatically from that point — gotta leave Baby Sherlock’s nascent interactions with Baby Watson and Baby Irene Adler for future seasons. — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2019

Recent Examples of Synonyms for downshifts

Noun

Match analysis from professional football also suggests around a quarter fewer explosive accelerations and decelerations at altitude than at sea level.

— Alan McCall, New York Times, 1 July 2026

Definition of decelerations

Noun

But between increasingly stiff anti-smoking legislation and very real declines in volumes for years, some investors have given up the industry—and Altria—for dead.

— Brett Owens, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026
However, this robust growth was belied by declines in median wealth in most of the 56 markets monitored by UBS, pointing to a growing wealth gap.

— Hayley Cuccinello, CNBC, 2 July 2026

Definition of declines

Noun

Several northbound lanes of I-5 were closed north of Templin Highway as fire vehicles staged on the highway and multiple firefighting helicopters performed water drops from above, according to social media posts from the Angeles National Forest.

— Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
In between the magnums of rosé that were flowing, main sponsor Starbucks kept the energy up all weekend with exclusive drink drops.

— Kathryn Hopkins, Footwear News, 6 July 2026

Definition of drops

Noun

Hiring slowdowns largely reflected businesses funding significant investments in AI with aggregated hiring savings as opposed to replacing specific jobs with AI (which may come later).

— John M. Bremen, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
During expansions, consumers and businesses are more willing to commit to major purchases; during slowdowns, those same purchases are often among the first to be delayed.

— Doug Ashburn, Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 June 2026

Definition of slowdowns

Browse Nearby Words

downshift

downshifts

downside

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Style

“Downshifts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downshifts. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of downshifts

noun

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