Synonyms

downswing

American

[doun-swing] / ˈdaʊnˌswɪŋ /

noun

a downward swing, as of a golf club in driving a ball.
a downward trend or decrease, as of business or a nation's birth rate.

downswing British

/ ˈdaʊnˌswɪŋ /

noun

a statistical downward trend in business activity, the death rate, etc
golf the downward movement or line of a club when striking the ball

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of downswing

First recorded in 1895–1900; down ¹ + swing ¹

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

That means it’s hard to pinpoint seasonal trends versus shutdown fallout versus an actual downswing.

From Barron's • Nov. 19, 2025

Most prices are on the downswing, he argued.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 8, 2025

“It could have been an honest mistake on their part,” Pigott said of the statistical downswing.

From Salon • May 23, 2025

A combination of good relationships, opportunity and Ireland being a minor meal ticket for famous pros on the downswing played a role in bringing one of the greats to the League of Ireland.

From BBC • Nov. 13, 2023

Her own sword was not to hand, so she snatched Renly's from its scabbard and raised it to catch Em- mon's axe on the downswing.

From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023