as in deflations
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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Recent Examples of downturns
During successive economic downturns throughout the ’90s and 21st century, the WRS rose before real GDP growth collapsed.
—
Jake Angelo, Fortune, 31 Mar. 2026
In each of the two oil crises of 1973 and 1979, the world lost about 5 million barrels of oil a day, causing major global economic downturns, Fatih Birol told the National Press Club of Australia in Canberra.
—Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 23 Mar. 2026
These stock-heavy portfolios can leave people painfully exposed to downturns.
—Liz Weston, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Mar. 2026
The downturns of more than a percentage point of view share for a range of outlets.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 20 Mar. 2026
The rankings are based on a three-year average, which smooths out spikes and dips occasioned by big events such as war or financial downturns.
—Jeanne Bonner, CNN Money, 19 Mar. 2026
While recent market jitters have rattled investors, Kotowski said private credit managers have historically emerged stronger from downturns because of their longer-term capital structures.
—Hugh Leask, CNBC, 17 Mar. 2026
America's wine industry is grappling with one of its most painful downturns in decades as younger consumers cut back on drinking and baby boomers age out of the market — reshaping alcohol habits nationwide.
—Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 12 Mar. 2026
The company has survived in an industry rife with downturns.
—Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 11 Mar. 2026
Jake Angelo, Fortune, 31 Mar. 2026
In each of the two oil crises of 1973 and 1979, the world lost about 5 million barrels of oil a day, causing major global economic downturns, Fatih Birol told the National Press Club of Australia in Canberra.
—Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 23 Mar. 2026
These stock-heavy portfolios can leave people painfully exposed to downturns.
—Liz Weston, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Mar. 2026
The downturns of more than a percentage point of view share for a range of outlets.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 20 Mar. 2026
The rankings are based on a three-year average, which smooths out spikes and dips occasioned by big events such as war or financial downturns.
—Jeanne Bonner, CNN Money, 19 Mar. 2026
While recent market jitters have rattled investors, Kotowski said private credit managers have historically emerged stronger from downturns because of their longer-term capital structures.
—Hugh Leask, CNBC, 17 Mar. 2026
America's wine industry is grappling with one of its most painful downturns in decades as younger consumers cut back on drinking and baby boomers age out of the market — reshaping alcohol habits nationwide.
—Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 12 Mar. 2026
The company has survived in an industry rife with downturns.
—Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 11 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for downturns
Noun
-
An offense with a collective mindset can protect guys who are going through some slumps.—
Evan Grant,
Dallas Morning News,
25 Mar. 2026
-
More generally speaking, there is a case that City are contending with different physical challenges this season, something that could be behind second-half slumps and sluggishness without the ball.—
James Horncastle,
New York Times,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Many hundreds of millions of public and philanthropic dollars have been flowing into CVI (although The Free Press story feels dated to us, in terms of the significant recent decreases in federal and state funds applied to these initiatives).—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Mar. 2026
-
The years since have seen decreases in the number of overdose deaths.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Offseason price falloffs are common in all sports, and those at the top are often among the most impacted.—
Benjamin Burrows,
New York Times,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The funding is ongoing while Colorado challenges the policy in court, but if reductions are made permanent, Mahanan predicts a wave of day care closures, almost overnight.—
Shay Castle,
Denver Post,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Dell said in its 10-K that fiscal 2026 headcount reductions stemmed from employee reorganizations, limits on external hiring, and other cost-alignment measures tied to its business modernization efforts.—
Sheryl Estrada,
Fortune,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
One face is of marble and tall glass with a few neo- classical dips and angles, dignified, but probably more suitable for a post office out in the stern Midwest than an urban bayscape in South Florida.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
27 Mar. 2026
-
The district saw significant dips in pre-K and kindergarten.—
Jessica Ma,
Dallas Morning News,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Similar deteriorations took place in Tuscany and in Naples.—
Britannica Editors,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The analysis, released Friday by the California Department of Insurance and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, found that meeting wildfire safety standards for roughly 30,000 homes within the Eaton and Pacific Palisades burn areas would significantly cut average annual losses.—
City News Service,
Daily News,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Corona del Mar’s boys volleyball team recently suffered a couple of losses in the Sunset League.—
Steve Fryer,
Oc Register,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
How do Amazon shoppers return items at these store drop-offs?—
Chad Murphy,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Many promise drop-offs in under an hour.—
Jasmin Malik Chua,
Sourcing Journal,
17 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Downturns.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downturns. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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