DOWNTURN Synonyms: 85 Similar and Opposite Words

downturn

noun

Definition of downturn

as in slump

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.

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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 downturn Where others might’ve retired and spent their money, having managed to make it to the end of the 20th century without a legitimate scandal or sustained career downturn, Parton kept giving it away and finding new methods to inspire and create. — Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 26 Aug. 2026 Comptroller Phil Diamond has said a minimum of $300 million should be held in reserve to protect against tourism market downturns that could impair the county’s ability to pay for its ongoing obligations. — Stephen Hudak, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Aug. 2026 The city might have been on a downturn musically, after Stax closed and Elvis died, but business was good for Spanish Fly. — Stephen Deusner, SPIN, 25 Aug. 2026 The industry is facing what’s been described as one of the most severe and prolonged downturns in decades, and the impacts continue to ripple throughout the wine sector and beyond. — Kate Bradshaw, Mercury News, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for downturn

Recent Examples of Synonyms for downturn

Noun

Growth in the world's second-largest economy slowed to multi-year lows in the second quarter, weighed down by tepid domestic demand and a prolonged real estate slump.

— Anniek Bao, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026
The country is more vulnerable to an oil slump than many other producers, making its defense of prices and preservation of OPEC’s relevance a priority.

— Wael Mahdi, semafor.com, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of slump

Noun

Yet a real resolution of the imbalances did not come until Japan’s economic downturn in the 1990s, which brought collapsing asset prices, persistent deflation, and years of stagnation.

— MICHAEL PETTIS, Foreign Affairs, 28 Aug. 2026
This aided an economic recovery and an escape from deflation.

— Steve H. Hanke, Fortune, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of deflation

Noun

Newlight also reported a 28 percent reduction in CO₂ emissions and a 22 percent decrease in carbon monoxide emissions during the voyage.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 2026
That is a drastic decrease in public support for right-leaning competitors since 2022, when nearly three times as many candidates won their seats and the group spent thousands on over 50 Florida school board campaigns.

— Trinity Webster-Bass, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of decrease

Noun

Regularly lowering sonar tools and mechanical sensors allows operators to map shifting cavern walls, track structural shrinkage, and inspect steel casings and cement seals for fractures.

— Siddharth Misra, Fortune, 25 Aug. 2026
L’Oréal, the parent company of Redken and Kérastase, developed a curl classification system from a study across 22 countries, studying curl radius, shrinkage ratio, and the number of twists on a hair fiber.

— Ava Welsing-Kitcher, Allure, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of shrinkage

Noun

The network decided to run the miniseries, originally slated to run weekly, on consecutive nights, to avoid a falloff in viewership, but also to get it all in before the ratings period.

— Anne Haley, Time, 11 Aug. 2026
Post-Covid, Hollywood has whined about the falloff for MPA fare in Pan Asian territories, particularly the once-robust South Korea.

— Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 28 July 2026

Definition of falloff

Noun

But one of the most immediate and visible consequences of 1898 was the diminution of the city’s Black population.

— Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 3 July 2026
The plaintiffs are seeking unspecified compensation and punitive damages for emotional distress, the temporary loss of property use and the long-term diminution of property value caused by chemical stigma.

— Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 29 May 2026

Definition of diminution

Noun

Top establishments like London's Hélène Darroze at The Connaught, a three-star restaurant, offer flexible à la carte lunch options for under £100, a significant reduction from their standard tasting menus.

— Carinne Geil Botta, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Recent school closures have helped the district to be able to make that reduction.

— Austin Horn, Miami Herald, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of reduction

Browse Nearby Words

downtrodden

downturn

downturns

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“Downturn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downturn. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of downturn

noun

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