downside

noun

down·​side ˈdau̇n-ˌsīd How to pronounce downside (audio)
Synonyms of downsidenext
1
: a downward trend (as of prices)
2
: a negative aspect
the downside of fame

Synonyms of downside

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Examples of downside in a Sentence

He could find no downside to the car. the downside of living in the country is, of course, the long commute to work
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Setting up shop in business-friendly, film-friendly cities has no downside if the infrastructure truly moves. — Joseph Kahn, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2026 Industrials as a sector has quietly become one of the market's clearest underperformers versus the S & P 500 , and this week a trader placed a fresh options bet worth nearly $4 million on more downside in the name. — Tony Zhang, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026 While there are no general downsides to using a body scrub, the dermatologists warn not to massage them too roughly into skin. — Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 2 Sep. 2026 The downside is stricter underwriting and a longer closing process. — Joseph Lustberg, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for downside

Word History

First Known Use

1905, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of downside was in 1905

Phrases Containing downside

Rhymes for downside

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Browse Nearby Words

downshift
downside
downside up
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Cite this Entry

“Downside.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/downside. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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