downsize

verb

down·​size ˈdau̇n-ˌsīz 

downsized; downsizing; downsizes

transitive verb

1

: to reduce in size

especially : to design or produce in smaller size

2

: to fire (employees) for the purpose of downsizing a business

intransitive verb

: to undergo a reduction in size

Synonyms

• abate
• de-escalate
• decrease
• dent
• deplete
• diminish
• downscale
• drop
• dwindle
• ease
• knock down
• lessen
• lower
• reduce

Examples of downsize in a Sentence

They have downsized the car's engine in the new model.

The company is planning to downsize next year.

The company will be downsized next year.

Recent Examples on the Web

President Trump’s administration is cutting nearly 90 percent of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) employees in a push to significantly downsize the watchdog agency formed to shield U.S. consumers from financial fraud and abuse. —Filip Timotija, The Hill, 18 Apr. 2025

The move is the Trump administration's latest to downsize and overhaul the federal government. —Kathryn Watson, CBS News, 18 Apr. 2025

Now, as those original collectors begin to downsize, their figurines are starting to resurface on the market. —Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Apr. 2025

Cramer suggested the sale would lead Walgreens to shutter more store locations, noting that the struggling drug giant had already been downsizing. —Julie Coleman, CNBC, 15 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1975, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for downsize

• advise
• applies
• apprise
• arise
• assize
• baptize
• belies
• bitwise
• capsize
• chastise
• chordwise
• clockwise

Kids Definition

downsize

verb

down·​size ˈdau̇n-ˌsīz 

: to reduce in size

the company downsized its staff to cut costs