as in deceleration
a usually gradual decrease in the pace or level of activity of something
scientists discovered that they could achieve the retardation of light if they shined it through a variety of substances
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of retardation
The Everrati's left pedal operates pads on discs in the normal fashion, but the motors also give powerful regenerative retardation when the accelerator is lifted.
—
Mike Duff, Car and Driver, 18 June 2021
The policy of retardation of submarine technology ended right after the beginning of the Anglo-German naval race (marked by the German Naval Laws of 1898 and 1900).
—chicagotribune.com, 28 July 2017
At the end Austen had psychomotor retardation and could barely move.
—Rene Chun, Los Angeles Magazine, 19 June 2017
The criteria were: episodes that last no longer than 2 months, and that do not include suicidal feelings, psychotic symptoms, psychomotor retardation, or feelings of worthlessness.
—Neuroskeptic, Discover Magazine, 15 Mar. 2013
Mike Duff, Car and Driver, 18 June 2021
The policy of retardation of submarine technology ended right after the beginning of the Anglo-German naval race (marked by the German Naval Laws of 1898 and 1900).
—chicagotribune.com, 28 July 2017
At the end Austen had psychomotor retardation and could barely move.
—Rene Chun, Los Angeles Magazine, 19 June 2017
The criteria were: episodes that last no longer than 2 months, and that do not include suicidal feelings, psychotic symptoms, psychomotor retardation, or feelings of worthlessness.
—Neuroskeptic, Discover Magazine, 15 Mar. 2013
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retardation
Noun
-
Lloyd did two-leg squatting, single-leg squatting, jumping, running, cutting and deceleration exercises in a three-dimensional motion capture lab that identified where Lloyd was placing stress during those activities.—
Matt Schneidman,
New York Times,
15 June 2026
-
Zscaler lost two key salespeople, and the deceleration is palpable.—
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
27 May 2026
Noun
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The findings indicate that bird-watching and similar hobbies may support overall brain health, though researchers stop short of saying the activity definitively halts cognitive decline.—
Hanna Wickes,
Kansas City Star,
18 June 2026
-
Earlier this year, a judge ordered the Bureau of Land Management to close roughly 2,000 miles of off highway vehicle trails in the western Mojave to reduce ongoing harm to the endangered desert tortoise, a keystone species of the local ecosystem whose numbers are in steep decline.—
Alex Wigglesworth,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2026
Noun
-
Kansas City businesses are reporting a mix of booming sales and unexpected slowdowns as FIFA World Cup fans flood the city.—
The Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
17 June 2026
-
In theory, a resilient labor market could afford central bankers leeway to raise interest rates in an effort to dial back inflation, since elevated borrowing costs risk a hiring slowdown.—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
16 June 2026
Noun
-
This sorts the power and braking between all four wheels in a fraction of a second to maximize the car’s agility.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
21 June 2026
-
Ease off the accelerator gradually and avoid abrupt braking to prevent skidding.—
Bay Area Weather Report,
Mercury News,
19 June 2026
Noun
-
Mix one drop of castile soap with 16 ounces of warm water in a spray bottle.—
Madeline Buiano,
Martha Stewart,
18 June 2026
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Retailers face challenges from SNAP cuts and consumer fatigue, needing to demonstrate value as price drops will be delayed for months.—
Phil Lempert,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
Noun
-
Kyle Tucker shakes off a slump with a tying home run and a laser throw to the plate, starring on both sides as the Dodger Stadium crowd recovers from the Rays’ early surge.—
Liana Handler
Follow,
Los Angeles Times,
16 June 2026
-
The attention now being paid to the prolonged production slump and the exodus of production and white-collar executive jobs has had the effect of galvanizing Hollywood to lobby hard for a federal production tax incentive program.—
Cynthia Littleton,
Variety,
16 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Retardation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retardation. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
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