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
In early March, the CEO of a major studio soundstage operator indicated that a few markets that had been seen as up-and-coming production players were now starting to experience some film and TV downturns.
—
Erik Hayden, HollywoodReporter, 28 Apr. 2026
Unlike gold, neither platinum nor palladium is considered a reliable safe-haven asset during economic downturns.
—Sharon Wu, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2026
Industry associations frame the career as one with enviable job security, given the ever-increasing need for nurses that supersedes economic downturns.
—Tristan Bove, Fortune, 23 Apr. 2026
L’Oreal, which operates in an industry adjacent to both consumer goods and luxury, has proven to be resilient to macroeconomic challenges and general sector downturns.
—Elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 23 Apr. 2026
The gap in median home values leads to significant differences in family wealth, which in turn affects retirement savings, the ability to pay for college and the financial cushion available during economic downturns.
—Grigoris Argeros, The Conversation, 21 Apr. 2026
Frey adds that society’s resistance to automation tends to coincide with economic downturns, like during the Great Depression, or recessions in the 1960s.
—Lorena O’Neil, Rolling Stone, 16 Apr. 2026
Ahead, the inevitable downturns will tell us more about Stammen.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026
People who have already retired may want to cut back on spending and withdrawals after sharp market downturns, because bigger withdrawals will remove more potential compounding ability in the future.
—Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2026
Erik Hayden, HollywoodReporter, 28 Apr. 2026
Unlike gold, neither platinum nor palladium is considered a reliable safe-haven asset during economic downturns.
—Sharon Wu, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2026
Industry associations frame the career as one with enviable job security, given the ever-increasing need for nurses that supersedes economic downturns.
—Tristan Bove, Fortune, 23 Apr. 2026
L’Oreal, which operates in an industry adjacent to both consumer goods and luxury, has proven to be resilient to macroeconomic challenges and general sector downturns.
—Elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 23 Apr. 2026
The gap in median home values leads to significant differences in family wealth, which in turn affects retirement savings, the ability to pay for college and the financial cushion available during economic downturns.
—Grigoris Argeros, The Conversation, 21 Apr. 2026
Frey adds that society’s resistance to automation tends to coincide with economic downturns, like during the Great Depression, or recessions in the 1960s.
—Lorena O’Neil, Rolling Stone, 16 Apr. 2026
Ahead, the inevitable downturns will tell us more about Stammen.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026
People who have already retired may want to cut back on spending and withdrawals after sharp market downturns, because bigger withdrawals will remove more potential compounding ability in the future.
—Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for downturns
Noun
-
Some of it can be attributed to luck, and some to facing teams in the midst of horrific slumps, such as the New York Mets and Phillies.—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Grier credited Warsofsky for helping to get the Sharks’ season back on track after at least three extended slumps.—
Curtis Pashelka,
Mercury News,
19 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
All of the cumulative regions the wave passes through, with all of the growth and shrinkages that occur, imprint themselves onto the wave, as do the initial and final gravitational potentials.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Even small decreases in cognitive functioning may be associated with a higher risk of death.—
Doug Brugge,
The Conversation,
22 Apr. 2026
-
All 39 have recorded enrollment decreases, based on an analysis by the California Department of Education.—
Howard Blume,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Apr. 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
-
Town Manager Peter Souza predicted the town council will reduce that tax increase either through spending reductions or use of fund balance or both.—
Don Stacom,
Hartford Courant,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Even with service reductions, Vista’s parent, American Healthcare Systems, continues to owe property taxes from 2023 and 2024.—
Charles Selle,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
While many media streaming sticks can work to some extent when plugged into a TV's USB port, their performance isn’t reliable and can be prone to crashes and reboots due to power dips.—
Will Greenwald,
PC Magazine,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The product design for the pull-on skinny and flare denim sought to tackle frequent fit issues women have with jeans—such as waist gaps and hip dips—with waist-smoothing paneling and padding and contour seaming to lift and round wearers’ hips.—
Sarah Jones,
Footwear News,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Similar deteriorations took place in Tuscany and in Naples.—
Britannica Editors,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Saturday’s defeat at home to Tottenham Hotspur was markedly less depressing than the losses in the previous two games.—
Steve Madeley,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Recent survey results on job losses have ticked above that percentage in the past year.—
George Petras,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Downturns.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downturns. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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