diff --git a/features/core-update.feature b/features/core-update.feature
index a52bcd3b..f5cc14ab 100644
--- a/features/core-update.feature
+++ b/features/core-update.feature
@@ -167,7 +167,7 @@ Feature: Update WordPress core
     When I run `wp core update`
     Then STDOUT should contain:
       """
-      WordPress is up to date
+      WordPress is up to date at version
       """
     And STDOUT should not contain:
       """
@@ -384,3 +384,39 @@ Feature: Update WordPress core
       """
       Success:
       """
+
+  @require-php-7.0 @require-wp-6.1
+  Scenario: Attempting to downgrade without --force shows helpful message
+    Given a WP install
+
+    When I run `wp core version`
+    Then save STDOUT as {WP_CURRENT_VERSION}
+
+    When I try `wp core update --version=6.0`
+    Then STDOUT should contain:
+      """
+      WordPress is up to date at version
+      """
+    And STDOUT should contain:
+      """
+      is older than the current version
+      """
+    And STDOUT should contain:
+      """
+      Use --force to update anyway
+      """
+    And STDOUT should not contain:
+      """
+      Success:
+      """
+    And the return code should be 0
+
+    When I run `wp core update --version=6.0 --force`
+    Then STDOUT should contain:
+      """
+      Updating to version 6.0
+      """
+    And STDOUT should contain:
+      """
+      Success: WordPress updated successfully.
+      """
diff --git a/src/Core_Command.php b/src/Core_Command.php
index b9bbb2b4..658a11e4 100644
--- a/src/Core_Command.php
+++ b/src/Core_Command.php
@@ -1269,8 +1269,14 @@ public function update( $args, $assoc_args ) {
 
 				WP_CLI::success( 'WordPress updated successfully.' );
 			}
+			// Check if user attempted to downgrade without --force
+		} elseif ( ! empty( Utils\get_flag_value( $assoc_args, 'version' ) ) && version_compare( Utils\get_flag_value( $assoc_args, 'version' ), $wp_version, '<' ) ) {
+			// Requested version is older than current (downgrade attempt)
+			WP_CLI::log( "WordPress is up to date at version {$wp_version}." );
+			WP_CLI::log( 'The version you requested (' . Utils\get_flag_value( $assoc_args, 'version' ) . ") is older than the current version ({$wp_version})." );
+			WP_CLI::log( 'Use --force to update anyway (e.g., to downgrade to version ' . Utils\get_flag_value( $assoc_args, 'version' ) . ').' );
 		} else {
-			WP_CLI::success( 'WordPress is up to date.' );
+			WP_CLI::success( "WordPress is up to date at version {$wp_version}." );
 		}
 	}