/ English Dictionary

DOWNSIZE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

(of a company) reduce in size or number of employees

Example:

the company downsized its research staff

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Hypernyms (to "downsize" is one way to...):

bring down; cut; cut back; cut down; reduce; trim; trim back; trim down (cut down on; make a reduction in)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Sense 2

Meaning:

Design or manufacture in a smaller size

Example:

the car makers downsized the SUVs when fuel became very expensive

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Hypernyms (to "downsize" is one way to...):

reduce; shrink (reduce in size; reduce physically)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Sense 3

Meaning:

Dismiss from work

Example:

three secretaries were downsized during the financial crisis

Classified under:

Verbs of political and social activities and events

Hypernyms (to "downsize" is one way to...):

furlough; lay off (dismiss, usually for economic reasons)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s somebody

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