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Definitions

scale down

VERB
downsize
Synonyms
STRONGEST
curtail cut back cut down diminish phase out reduce retrench shrink trim
STRONG
cut decrease deduct
WEAK
phase down roll back roll down scale back step down trim away tune down
Antonyms
STRONGEST
develop enlarge expand extend grow increase lengthen prolong
STRONG
add raise
VERB
lower
Synonyms
STRONGEST
curtail cut cut down decrease depreciate devalue diminish downgrade knock off lessen pare slash soften
STRONG
abate clip de-escalate decry deflate demote devaluate downsize moderate prune shave undervalue
WEAK
cut back mark down roll back tone down write off
Antonyms
STRONGEST
develop enlarge expand extend grow increase lengthen prolong raise
WEAK
elevate heighten
VERB
reduce
Synonyms
STRONGEST
curtail cut cut down diminish dwindle knock off lessen lower pare shorten slash trim weaken
STRONG
abate abridge bankrupt break cheapen chop clip contract debase deflate depreciate depress diet dilute discount drain impair impoverish moderate pauperize rebate recede ruin shave slim taper truncate
WEAK
bant cut back go on a diet lose weight mark down nutshell roll back slow down step down take off weight taper off tone down turn down wind down
Antonyms
STRONGEST
compliment develop enlarge expand extend grow increase lengthen praise prolong raise strengthen
STRONG
amplify enhance laud rise stretch upgrade
WEAK
invigorate win

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.

Extreme weather conditions are causing severe disruptions to logistics operations across Europe, with cargo vessels sheltering and terminals forced to halt or scale down activity, Maersk said on Wednesday.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 28, 2026

AI has this ability to optimize processes and decisions and then be able to decide if you want to scale up or scale down the amount of resources dynamically.

From Barron's • Oct. 15, 2025

After that, she has to find a way to scale down the West End production for a UK tour.

From BBC • Apr. 18, 2025

Although she works on a large scale, this required her to scale down.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 17, 2024

Alexander had drawn a map of the nursery, tinted with watercolors and oriented according to the compass, with all the furniture drawn to scale, down to the last footstool.

From "The Interrupted Tale" by Maryrose Wood

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.