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

While its core crisis hotline has remained in operation, the organization downsized and paused its microgrant program in late 2023, citing lack of funding. —Samantha Riedel, Them, 14 Feb. 2025

McMahon’s hearing comes a few weeks into the Trump administration’s accelerated push to dramatically downsize the federal government and its workforce, which has been spearheaded by billionaire Elon Musk and his team with the new Department of Government Efficiency. —Lisa Hagen, Hartford Courant, 14 Feb. 2025

Laws protecting federal workers and collective bargaining agreement will likely complicate Trump’s plans to downsize the federal workforce. —Bloomberg, The Mercury News, 12 Feb. 2025

Every day, news comes out about organizations downsizing or relying on younger, more inexperienced journalists to carry the torch. —Jerry McCormick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1975, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Kids Definition

downsize

verb

down·​size ˈdau̇n-ˌsīz 

: to reduce in size

the company downsized its staff to cut costs