There are several synonyms for the phrase "sudden downdraft." Some of the commonly used alternatives include wind shear, gust front, microburst, and air pocket. Wind shear refers to the sudden change of speed and/or direction of wind, while gust front is the boundary separating cold dense air with the warm air. A microburst is a type of localized downdraft that happens in a thunderstorm, and an air pocket is a sudden drop in air pressure caused by various reasons such as terrain variation and weather conditions. All of these terms imply a sudden and unexpected downward movement of air, which can be hazardous to aircraft and outdoor activities if not carefully monitored.