downcycle

American  

[doun-sahy-kuhl] / ˈdaʊnˌsaɪ kəl /

noun

1. Economics. a period or cycle during which business activity or profitability is at a low point.

   Energy companies are facing increased cost pressure to get through the current market downcycle.

---

verb (used with object)

1. to process (used goods or waste material) in order to produce something of lesser quality because the original material cannot be recycled into something of the same or better quality.

   The plastic bottles can't be reused, but some companies downcycle them into bags.

Etymology

Origin of downcycle

First recorded in 1975–80; down ¹ + cycle

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

downcycle

But with Chinese capacity looming on the horizon, the clock is ticking for memory makers to secure their long-term dominance before the inevitable downcycle begins.

From Barron's ● Jun. 22, 2026

Looking back, Micron’s sales declined 49% and the company lost $5.34 a share in fiscal 2023, during the most recent downcycle for the computer memory and storage industry.

From MarketWatch ● May 27, 2026

New long-term supply agreements are seen as highly favorable for memory producers, mitigating future downcycle risk.

From Barron's ● Apr. 6, 2026

Analog chips, which are used in automobiles, appliances and other consumer electronics, are staging a comeback after a multiyear downcycle.

From MarketWatch ● Jan. 31, 2026

"The results/guidance confirms the team is moving past the trough of this downcycle," J.P.

From Reuters ● May 26, 2023