View synonyms for

downsize

[ doun-sahyz ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

verb (used with object)

downsized, downsizing.

to design or manufacture a smaller version or type of:
The automotive industry downsized its cars for improved fuel economy.
to reduce in size or number; cut back:
Many small businesses are forced to downsize their workforce during a slow economy.
to dismiss (an employee); lay off or fire:
After I was downsized from my marketing position, I took to substitute teaching to make a little money.

verb (used without object)

to become smaller in size or number:
The military is downsizing— reducing overseas deployments—and as a result is spending less on supplies.
to move into a smaller residence:
Retirees are downsizing these days, giving up oversized and empty nests for apartments that are easier to care for.

adjective

Also downsized. being of a smaller size or version:
a downsize car.

downsize

/ ˈ�岹ʊ��ˌ��ɪ�� /

verb

to reduce the operating costs of a company by reducing the number of people it employs
to reduce the size of or produce a smaller version of (something)
to upgrade (a computer system) by replacing a mainframe or minicomputer with a network of microcomputers Compare rightsize

downsize

To reduce in number, especially personnel: “The company decided to downsize half the workers in the aircraft division.” It can also be used in reference to objects: “I decided to downsize my wardrobe and threw out all my old T-shirts.”

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Notes

Downsize is a recent euphemism for “fire, lay off.” Company managers often use this term in an attempt to soften the blow of wide-scale layoffs.

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Word History and Origins

Origin of downsize¹

An Americanism dating back to 1970–75; down ¹ + size ¹

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

These agreements are an intentional effort to outsource government work in alignment with their efforts to downsize and deconstruct the government.

From

In an interview with The Times this week, he suggested the department could also downsize its information bureau — which he said “puts out basically PR stories” — and assign more people to handle public records requests.

From

Six years ago, Newsom announced he was downsizing Brown’s proposal for a twin tunnel and instead called for a redesigned single tunnel.

From

While the Trump administration has said many of these cuts are intended to reduce federal spending and downsize the federal workforce, many researchers say it is interrupting scientific research.

From

So many women lost their jobs during the pandemic, and so many companies downsized, and many people had to pivot and find a new direction to go.

From

Related Words

downside downsizing

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