View synonyms for downsize

downsize

[ doun-sahyz ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

verb (used with object)

, down·sized, down·siz·ing.

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

/ ˈdaʊnˌsaɪz /

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)
See rightsize
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

Her family — two children, her parents, her sister, and two nieces — downsized to a two-bedroom apartment after she lost her wages working at a college cafeteria.

From Washington Post

“Legacy List” — “keep the memories, lose the stuff” — travels to the homes of people who are downsizing or moving.

From Washington Post

Many downsized or rescheduled, sometimes for months or a year later.

From Fortune

Six years later, a new Smithsonian administration has jettisoned the eye-popping elements of the $2 billion design by Danish architect Bjarke Ingels, opting instead for a dramatically downsized version.

From Washington Post

That money, it turns out, goes a long way when many other teams are downsizing.

From Washington Post

Downsize Fitness, a Chicago-based, overweight-only gym, is upsizing in a hurry.

From The Daily Beast

But Downsize Fitness, which requires members to be overweight, plans to make a profit by creating community.

From The Daily Beast

Downsize wants to grow by opening gyms under its own name and ownership, rather than selling franchises and licenses.

From The Daily Beast

Downsize has combined these three insights into a new business model.

From The Daily Beast

To join Downsize, members must have at least 50 pounds of weight to lose.