If people or their opinions are downbeat, they are deliberately casual and not enthusiastic about a situation.
Its headlines were suitably downbeat and don't scream out.
...a downbeat assessment of the year's economic prospects.
2. adjective
If you are feeling downbeat, you are feeling depressed and without hope.
They found him in a gloomy, downbeat mood.
Synonyms: gloomy, negative, depressed, pessimistic More Synonyms of downbeat
3. countable noun
In music, the downbeat is the downward movement of the conductor's hand, indicating the first beat of the bar.
More Synonyms of downbeat
downbeat in British English
(ˈdaʊnˌbiːt)
noun
1. music
the first beat of a bar or the downward gesture of a conductor's baton indicating this
Compare upbeat
adjective
2. informal
depressed; gloomy
3. informal
relaxed; unemphatic
downbeat in American English
(ˈdaʊnˌbit)
noun
1.
a downward trend; downswing
2. Music
a.
the downward stroke of the conductor's hand or baton indicating the first beat of each measure
b.
such a beat
adjective US
3. Informal
grimly realistic; depressing
Examples of 'downbeat' in a sentence
downbeat
Consumer attitudes in the here and now have remained relatively downbeat.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
But economists remained downbeat about the outlook for the construction sector.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
In the summer both were taking a downbeat view.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
And the downbeat mood seemed to extend to her performance itself.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The company gave a downbeat assessment for the second half of the year.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Expectations for public construction remained particularly downbeat given government spending cuts, he said.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Still, his downbeat tone has rattled bankers and business leaders.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
But for the most part, the tone is downbeat.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
It may be part of the character of the British to offer a downbeat assessment of how content they are with life.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Perhaps the only slightly downbeat note comes when I ask whether she has a boyfriend.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
And yet beneath the gusto of the narrative, there's a downbeat tone at work.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The mood is more downbeat, the settings acoustic, but the high quality songwriting remains.
The Sun (2008)
The downbeat assessment contrasts with consumers' positive views about their prospective own situations, which improved by two points compared with a year ago.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
After our somewhat downbeat assessment last week of the new season's trends, we turn our thoughts this week to those we can actually work with.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
1 (adjective)
Definition
casual and restrained
The headlines were suitably downbeat.
Synonyms
low-key
The wedding will be a very low-key affair.
muted
He likes sober muted colours.
subdued
The lighting was subdued.
sober
He dresses in sober grey suits.
sombre
a worried official in sombre black
2 (adjective)
Definition
depressed or gloomy
They found him in gloomy, downbeat mood.
Synonyms
gloomy
He is gloomy about the fate of the economy.
negative
There's no point in going along to an interview with a negative attitude.
depressed
He seemed somewhat depressed.
pessimistic
his excessively pessimistic view of life
unfavourable
First reactions have been distinctly unfavourable.
Opposites
encouraging
,
positive
,
optimistic
,
cheerful
,
favourable
,
upbeat
,
buoyant
,
heartening
Additional synonyms
in the sense of depressed
Definition
low in spirits
He seemed somewhat depressed.
Synonyms
sad,
down,
low,
blue,
unhappy,
discouraged,
fed up,
moody,
gloomy,
pessimistic,
melancholy,
sombre,
glum,
mournful,
dejected,
despondent,
dispirited,
downcast,
morose,
disconsolate,
crestfallen,
doleful,
downhearted,
heavy-hearted,
down in the dumps (informal),
cheerless,
woebegone,
down in the mouth (informal),
low-spirited
in the sense of muted
Definition
(of an emotion or action) subdued or restrained
He likes sober muted colours.
Synonyms
subdued,
subtle,
faded,
delicate,
restrained,
discreet,
low-key,
pastel,
understated,
toned down
in the sense of negative
Definition
lacking positive qualities, such as enthusiasm or optimism
There's no point in going along to an interview with a negative attitude.