trade down

verb

traded down; trading down; trades down

intransitive verb

1
: to trade something in (such as an automobile) for something less expensive or valuable of its kind
2
: to stock or purchase lower-priced items : economize

Examples of trade down in a Sentence

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.
Non yield bearing precious metals such as gold and silver simultaneously traded down, while the US Dollar Index touched an 18 month high during intraday trading. — CNBC, 15 Oct. 2026 Its lower-income customers are trading down to less expensive items and store brands, which either pinches Albertsons’ margins or sends shoppers to Walmart and Kroger. — Phil Wahba, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2026 Gonzalez will demand a trade well before that happens, but the Patriots do have some options, and Schefter even raised the possibility of a trade down the line. — Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 29 Aug. 2026 At some point consumers change frequency, trade down, change channels or decide another price increase is one too many. — Phil Kafarakis, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for trade down

Word History

First Known Use

1905, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of trade down was in 1905

Rhymes for trade down

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Browse Nearby Words

trade dollar
trade down
trade edition
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Trade down.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trade%20down. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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