downshift

Plural: downshifts

Noun

a change from a financially rewarding but stressful career to a less well paid but more fulfilling one
a change to a lower gear in a car or bicycle
A change of direction or a movement downwards.
A reduction in quality or quantity.
A change in career or lifestyle to one which is not as well paid but less stressful and more personally rewarding.
A shift of a transmission into a lower gear, as dictated by heavier load on the engine, as for example when climbing a hill or strongly accelerating.

Verb

To reduce (something) in quality or quantity (as effect, scope, speed, etc.)
To change (one's career or lifestyle) to one which is not as well paid but less stressful and more personally rewarding.
To shift (a car or bicycle) into a lower gear.
To function at a lower rate; to slacken.
To change one's career or lifestyle to one which is not as well paid but less stressful and more personally rewarding.
To shift a transmission into a lower gear.

Examples

In a stick-shift vehicle, the driver must downshift when necessary; in an automatic, the transmission downshifts as needed.

Origin / Etymology

The noun is derived from down (preposition) + shift (“slight change or movement”). The verb is derived from the noun.

Synonyms

attenuate

Antonyms

upshift, upshift#Noun, upshift#Verb

Scrabble Score: 19

downshift: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Word
downshift: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
downshift: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 19

downshift: valid Words With Friends Word