slowdown

noun

slow·​down ˈslō-ˌdau̇n 

: a slowing down

a business slowdown

Synonyms of slowdown

• decline
• deceleration
• slump
• drop
• retardation

Examples of slowdown in a Sentence

The business had a slowdown after the holidays.

disease experts are encouraged by the recent slowdown in the spread of the virus

Recent Examples on the Web

Rogue agents are running rampant, and even the industry’s top figures – Amodei, Altman, and Musk – are leading calls for a slowdown in development. — Yerbol Orynbayev, Fortune, 3 Oct. 2026

That was fewer than economists expected and a slowdown from August’s net hiring rate of 133,000. — Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026

If even a project with as much momentum behind it as Kilby sees a possible slowdown ahead, other data center developers should temper their expectations for pacing accordingly. — Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 1 Oct. 2026

As for his next move, Perry is planning a big relocation—and a slowdown of his famously busy schedule. — India Roby, Architectural Digest, 30 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1882, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for slowdown

• adown
• blowdown
• breakdown
• countdown
• crackdown
• crosstown
• downtown
• drawdown
• dropdown
• facedown
• godown
• hometown

Kids Definition

slowdown

noun

slow·​down ˈslō-ˌdau̇n 

: a slowing down

Legal Definition

slowdown

noun

slow·​down ˈslō-ˌdau̇n 

: a slowing down of business operations by employees