recession

8 synonyms and 2 antonyms for recession, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Noun — A period of reduced economic activity, typically marked by falling output and rising unemployment.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

corner

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

slump contraction recess niche

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

downturn receding recessional

Synonyms by Meaning

1. noun

A period of reduced economic activity, typically marked by falling output and rising unemployment.

“The country fell into a recession after the banking crisis.”

downturn slump contraction recess receding niche recessional corner

Opposites

boom

2. noun

The act of gradually withdrawing or moving back.

“The recession of the glacier has been tracked for decades.”

Opposites

approach

How to use recession

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

fall into recession a global recession recession-proof

Etymology

From Latin recessio, from recedere ("to withdraw").

Full origin of recession →

Frequently asked questions

What does “recession” mean?

The word “recession” means a period of reduced economic activity, typically marked by falling output and rising unemployment. In plain terms, usually means an economic downturn, but can also mean any gradual withdrawal or retreat.

How do you pronounce “recession”?

“Recession” is pronounced rih-SEHSHN (/ɹɪˈsɛʃn̩/ in IPA).

How do you use “recession” in a sentence?

Here is “recession” used in a sentence: “The country fell into a recession after the banking crisis.”

What part of speech is “recession”?

“Recession” is a noun.

Where does the word “recession” come from?

The word “recession” comes from Latin. From Latin recessio, from recedere ("to withdraw").

Is “recession” a common word?

“Recession” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

How many meanings does “recession” have?

“Recession” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a period of reduced economic activity, typically marked by falling output and rising unemployment.

What is the difference between a recession and a depression?

A recession is a period of reduced economic activity marked by falling output and rising unemployment, while a depression is a far more severe and prolonged downturn. Economists generally treat a depression as an extreme, long-lasting form of recession rather than a separate category with its own fixed definition.

What is the difference between a recession and a slowdown?

A slowdown refers to economic growth becoming weaker without necessarily turning negative, while a recession specifically involves output actually falling and unemployment rising. Not every slowdown becomes a recession, but every recession involves at least some period of economic contraction.

Can recession refer to something other than the economy?

Yes, recession also has a more general sense meaning the act of gradually withdrawing or moving back, as in a receding tide or a receding hairline. This older, broader meaning is where the economic sense derives from, since a recession involves the economy 'receding' from previous growth.

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approach corner boom niche contraction recess slump downturn receding

Nearby words

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