slackened; slackening
ˈsla-kᵊn-iŋ 
1
: to make less active : slow up
slacken speed at a crossing
2
: to make slack (as by lessening tension or firmness)
slacken sail
1
: to become slack or slow or negligent : slow down
2
: to become less active : slack
Examples of slacken in a Sentence
Sales show no sign of slackening.
As he began to relax, his grip on the steering wheel slackened.
The captain ordered us to slacken the sails.
Recent Examples on the Web
That restless buildup for the perfect tomato to slacken and blush, to actually smell of fire and rain?
—
Eric Kim, New York Times, 19 July 2023
Smoke concentration might increase Wednesday and Thursday as winds are predicted to slacken, according to the MDE, which monitors air quality throughout the state.
—Dan Belson, Baltimore Sun, 6 June 2023
But in the video, Jackson’s lips started to slacken around the pacifier and change color, Higgins said.
—Jessica Bartlett, BostonGlobe.com, 29 Apr. 2023
Winds may slacken a bit overnight, but gradients will tighten again Friday and strong winds gusts will ramp up again.
—oregonlive, 17 Nov. 2022
But as the fleet reached Canvey Island, the already light winds slackened, and the race committee shortened the course.
—William Booth, Washington Post, 24 July 2023
Possibly the same could be said of Ms. Kawakubo who, like Picasso in his 80s, shows little sign of slackening pace.
—Guy Trebay, New York Times, 28 June 2023
Then Portland will see showers slacken off through the afternoon.
—oregonlive, 5 Apr. 2023
Confidence: Medium Tomorrow night: Easterly and northeasterly breezes may not slacken much.
—A. Camden Walker, Washington Post, 28 May 2023
See More
Eric Kim, New York Times, 19 July 2023
Smoke concentration might increase Wednesday and Thursday as winds are predicted to slacken, according to the MDE, which monitors air quality throughout the state.
—Dan Belson, Baltimore Sun, 6 June 2023
But in the video, Jackson’s lips started to slacken around the pacifier and change color, Higgins said.
—Jessica Bartlett, BostonGlobe.com, 29 Apr. 2023
Winds may slacken a bit overnight, but gradients will tighten again Friday and strong winds gusts will ramp up again.
—oregonlive, 17 Nov. 2022
But as the fleet reached Canvey Island, the already light winds slackened, and the race committee shortened the course.
—William Booth, Washington Post, 24 July 2023
Possibly the same could be said of Ms. Kawakubo who, like Picasso in his 80s, shows little sign of slackening pace.
—Guy Trebay, New York Times, 28 June 2023
Then Portland will see showers slacken off through the afternoon.
—oregonlive, 5 Apr. 2023
Confidence: Medium Tomorrow night: Easterly and northeasterly breezes may not slacken much.
—A. Camden Walker, Washington Post, 28 May 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'slacken.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of slacken was
in the 14th century
Dictionary Entries Near slacken
Cite this Entry
“Slacken.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/slacken. Accessed 22 Sep. 2023.
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More from Merriam-Webster on slacken
Nglish: Translation of slacken for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of slacken for Arabic Speakers
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