as in reducing
to make smaller in amount, volume, or extent
the company downsized its overseas operations in an attempt to cut costs
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 downsizing
Daniel De Visé,
USA Today,
20 June 2026
Bloomingdale’s is capitalizing on the bankruptcy and downsizing of Saks Global.
—
David Moin,
Footwear News,
3 June 2026
And yet, even after the stress, the downsizing and the compromises, Giangreco still believes taking the first leap to move was worth it.
—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
30 May 2026
The current downsizing follows cuts of about 1,000 staffers in January in the company's Reality Labs unit, and reductions in March impacting hundreds more workers, along with the decision to shift away from third-party vendors and contractors tasked with content moderation tasks.
—
Jonathan Vanian,julia Boorstin,
CNBC,
18 May 2026
Pope gained responsibility for the unscripted TV business earlier this spring as part of a restructuring and downsizing, which resulted in hundreds of layoffs in the Japanese company’s entertainment business.
—
Meg James,
Los Angeles Times,
18 May 2026
This downsizing of operations at Old Trafford coincided with the most downsized season since the start of the First World War, though, and next term will be a greater test of United’s streamlined operations.
—
Mark Critchley,
New York Times,
3 May 2026
The downsizing of the district’s operations will largely fund the 5% increases, Licata said.
—
Lina Ruiz,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
28 Apr. 2026
But really, the company’s downsizing had been months in the making, foreshadowed by the $31 million sale of its creative office space in Santa Monica in the fall.
—
Borys Kit,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Apr. 2026
Jamie Cuccinelli,
Martha Stewart,
3 July 2026
But an even bigger obstacle to downsizing is likely to be the entrenched power of school employee unions.
—
U T Editorial Board,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
3 July 2026
But for two other groups – the workers still employed at downsizing companies, as well as investors – there’s a source of clarity amid the chaos.
—
D. Brian Blank,
The Conversation,
29 June 2026
First, people are downsizing, says Wendy Kuhn, senior kitchen and bath designer at Karr Bick.
—
Abby Wolner,
Better Homes & Gardens,
24 June 2026
JetBlue’s expansion move in Fort Lauderdale coincides with the airline’s downsizing in the Greater New York area, a region that management has deemed costly to operate.
—
David Lyons,
Sun Sentinel,
22 June 2026
Federal cuts skewed the picture, with nearly 38% of federal workers reporting downsizing, which was more than double the private-sector rate.
—
Joe Toscano,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
The Hotchkis family has been downsizing its real estate holdings over the past year.
—
Wendy Bowman,
Robb Report,
18 June 2026
The industry has weathered a brutal shakeout, with major operators merging, downsizing or shutting down entirely.
—
Hanna Wickes,
Sacbee.com,
17 June 2026
Noun
Retirement often arrives suddenly and unexpectedly, triggered by health setbacks or corporate downsizing.
—
Daniel De Visé,
USA Today,
20 June 2026
Bloomingdale’s is capitalizing on the bankruptcy and downsizing of Saks Global.
—
David Moin,
Footwear News,
3 June 2026
And yet, even after the stress, the downsizing and the compromises, Giangreco still believes taking the first leap to move was worth it.
—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
30 May 2026
The current downsizing follows cuts of about 1,000 staffers in January in the company's Reality Labs unit, and reductions in March impacting hundreds more workers, along with the decision to shift away from third-party vendors and contractors tasked with content moderation tasks.
—
Jonathan Vanian,julia Boorstin,
CNBC,
18 May 2026
Pope gained responsibility for the unscripted TV business earlier this spring as part of a restructuring and downsizing, which resulted in hundreds of layoffs in the Japanese company’s entertainment business.
—
Meg James,
Los Angeles Times,
18 May 2026
This downsizing of operations at Old Trafford coincided with the most downsized season since the start of the First World War, though, and next term will be a greater test of United’s streamlined operations.
—
Mark Critchley,
New York Times,
3 May 2026
The downsizing of the district’s operations will largely fund the 5% increases, Licata said.
—
Lina Ruiz,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
28 Apr. 2026
But really, the company’s downsizing had been months in the making, foreshadowed by the $31 million sale of its creative office space in Santa Monica in the fall.
—
Borys Kit,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
Measure Wearability in Time When downsizing shoes, Kathleen Barnes, founder of Carrie Bradshaw Lied, recommends measuring a pair’s wearability in time.
—
Jamie Cuccinelli,
Martha Stewart,
3 July 2026
But an even bigger obstacle to downsizing is likely to be the entrenched power of school employee unions.
—
U T Editorial Board,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
3 July 2026
But for two other groups – the workers still employed at downsizing companies, as well as investors – there’s a source of clarity amid the chaos.
—
D. Brian Blank,
The Conversation,
29 June 2026
First, people are downsizing, says Wendy Kuhn, senior kitchen and bath designer at Karr Bick.
—
Abby Wolner,
Better Homes & Gardens,
24 June 2026
JetBlue’s expansion move in Fort Lauderdale coincides with the airline’s downsizing in the Greater New York area, a region that management has deemed costly to operate.
—
David Lyons,
Sun Sentinel,
22 June 2026
Federal cuts skewed the picture, with nearly 38% of federal workers reporting downsizing, which was more than double the private-sector rate.
—
Joe Toscano,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
The Hotchkis family has been downsizing its real estate holdings over the past year.
—
Wendy Bowman,
Robb Report,
18 June 2026
The industry has weathered a brutal shakeout, with major operators merging, downsizing or shutting down entirely.
—
Hanna Wickes,
Sacbee.com,
17 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for downsizing
Noun
-
Nieporte filed a federal lawsuit in May against human resources company ADP Totalsource for its role in his firing, seeking at least $30 million.
-
Such blindsiding firings aren't limited to struggling employees; experienced professionals and executives are also abruptly dismissed due to shifting business priorities, restructuring, or leadership changes.
Verb
-
Manucurist formulates its masks with panthenol, a form of vitamin B5, to hydrate and strengthen dry nails over time, reducing breakage.
-
Even tiny electromagnetic disturbances can disrupt the quantum states that perform calculations, reducing the accuracy and reliability of the system.
Noun
-
Weave in open storage elements like cubbies—essential for keeping shoes and boots accessible and organized.
-
Swift tapped Christian Louboutin for her custom shoes, the same fashion house that made her iconic jeweled boots worn on her Eras Tour.
Verb
-
Most of these early mandate states were centered around the Northeast, where viral spread started decreasing as a result of normal season patterns.
-
Across the United States, cities are decreasing the number of available psychiatric beds just as demand is surging.
Noun
-
In a note on Tuesday, analysts reaffirmed their year-end price target of 7,100 for the broad market index, representing a 5% drop from the week’s closing level.
-
With the peloton boasting fresh legs, expect major fireworks in the closing kilometres.
Noun
-
Toure had three tackles for loss, two sacks and six pass deflections.
-
In 201 career games, Peterson recorded 36 interceptions, 122 pass deflections, 652 total tackles and four sacks.
Cite this Entry
“Downsizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downsizing. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
