Definitions
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.
- intransitive verb To reduce in number or size.
- intransitive verb To dismiss or lay off from work.
- intransitive verb To make in a smaller size.
- intransitive verb To simplify (one's life, for instance), as by reducing the number of one's possessions.
- intransitive verb To become smaller in size by reductions in personnel or assets.
- intransitive verb To live in a simpler way, especially by moving into a smaller residence.
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- verb intransitive To
reduce in size or number. - verb transitive To reduce the workforce of.
- verb transitive To
terminate the employment of.
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
- verb make in a smaller size
- verb dismiss from work
- verb reduce in size or number
Etymologies
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License
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Examples
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Reorganizing is the word used to describe this overall activity; the word downsize was replaced later with the more accurate term rightsize to show that bigger did not necessarily mean better.
VISION, VALUES, AND COURAGE Neil H. Snyder 1994
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Reorganizing is the word used to describe this overall activity; the word downsize was replaced later with the more accurate term rightsize to show that bigger did not necessarily mean better.
VISION, VALUES, AND COURAGE Neil H. Snyder 1994
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One of the first casualties of a corporate downsize is Bobby Walker, a hot-shot sales executive who is living the idyllic life — complete with two kids and a mortgaged picket fence.
The Weinstein Company Buys The Company Men, Sets Holiday Release for Blue Valentine | /Film 2010
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The way the character would try to minimize this downsize is trying to train himself as much as possible in order to increase the amount of energy he can use at one time.
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In other words, we could downsize from a biggish estate to a medium-sized hatchback, and reap the benefits in slightly better fuel consumption.
Spontaneous Internal Combustion « We Don't Count Your Own Visits To Your Blog 2008
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Unfortunately we’ve had to downsize from a three-bedroom duplex with a yard to a 600-sq-ft apartment, and despite being walked three to four times a day and being taken to Fiesta Island on the weekends, our poor dog is quite put out.
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Mimi Ritzen Crawford for The Wall Street Journal The couple have decided to downsize, which is the reason for the sale.
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He's trying to "downsize" his views and infiltrate us normal people instead of being so right-winged extreme.
Analysis: Florida's Rubio, an outsider, avoids establishment label 2010
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But the term "downsize" has such a negative connotation.
Kari Henley: Reinvent Your Space and Feel Renewed! Kari Henley 2010
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I'm trying to "downsize" and get rid of stuff, so my children don't have to go through it later.
Ask Amy 2010
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