Synonyms of slack

slack 1 of 3

adjective

ˈslak 

1

as in lazy

failing to give proper care and attention

a building contractor known mainly for his firm's slack workmanship and slipshod construction

Synonyms & Similar Words

• lazy
• careless
• neglectful
• neglecting
• negligent
• lax
• derelict
• reckless
• remiss
• disregardful
• oblivious
• irresponsible
• forgetful
• heedless
• incautious
• inattentive
• thoughtless
• unguarded
• unmindful
• disinterested
• delinquent
• loose
• uninterested
• apathetic
• wild
• unthinking
• indifferent
• unwary
• unconcerned
• disregarding
• unheeding

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• careful
• conscientious
• attentive
• cautious
• nonnegligent
• punctilious
• meticulous
• circumspect
• responsible
• regarding
• painstaking
• watchful
• wary
• mindful
• vigilant
• chary
• guarded
• alert
• thinking
• observant
• interested
• thoughtful
• gingerly
• provident
• heedful
• concerned
• regardful
• heeding
• forethoughtful
• foresighted

2

as in flexible

not bound by rigid standards

slack supervision on the project

Synonyms & Similar Words

• flexible
• relaxed
• sloppy
• careless
• loose
• lax
• unrestricted
• easygoing
• lazy
• unrestrained
• negligent
• irresponsible
• slovenly
• neglectful
• slipshod
• heedless
• remiss
• derelict
• sloven
• unfussy

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• hard
• severe
• rigid
• stern
• strict
• harsh
• tight
• rigorous
• restricted
• careful
• restrained
• exact
• conscientious
• constrained
• meticulous
• scrupulous
• inflexible
• fussy
• punctilious
• painstaking
• implacable

3

as in loosened

not tightly fastened, tied, or stretched

left the ropes slack

Synonyms & Similar Words

• loosened
• loose
• lax
• relaxed
• undone
• insecure
• unsecured
• slackened
• detached
• untied
• unbound
• unattached
• free
• baggy
• unfastened
• saggy
• blousy

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• tight
• taut
• tense
• restrained
• constrained
• bound
• attached
• tied
• fast
• firm
• stuck
• fastened
• jammed
• wedged
• snug

slack

2 of 3

noun

1

as in latitude

an allowable margin of freedom or variation

our boss doesn't cut us any slack when it comes to being back from lunch on time

Synonyms & Similar Words

• latitude
• space
• leeway
• wiggle room
• rein
• licence
• license
• swing

2

as in slackness

the extent to which something hangs or dips below a straight line

take up the slack of a rope

Synonyms & Similar Words

• slackness
• sag
• droop
• hang
• laxness
• looseness
• laxity
• limpness
• floppiness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• tension
• rigidity
• tightness
• tenseness
• tautness
• rigidness

3

as in pants

slacks plural an outer garment covering each leg separately from waist to ankle

she prefers wearing slacks instead of a dress

Synonyms & Similar Words

• pants
• trousers
• jeans
• britches
• breeches
• pantaloons
• denims
• blue jeans
• hose
• cords
• corduroys
• cargo pants
• pants suit
• baggies
• sweatpants
• leggin
• knee breeches
• legging
• bell-bottoms
• pantsuit
• knickerbockers
• bloomers

slack

3 of 3

verb

as in to loosen

to make less taut

the skipper ordered the crew to slack off the sheets on the mainsail

Synonyms & Similar Words

• loosen
• slacken
• relax
• ease
• untie
• detach
• free
• undo
• unfasten
• unbind

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• tension
• stretch
• tighten
• tense
• strain
• bind
• tie
• attach
• restrain
• fasten
• constrain

Synonym Chooser

How is the word slack different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of slack are lax, neglectful, negligent, and remiss. While all these words mean "culpably careless or indicative of such carelessness," slack implies want of due or necessary diligence or care.

slack workmanship

When might lax be a better fit than slack?

While in some cases nearly identical to slack, lax implies a blameworthy lack of strictness, severity, or precision.

a reporter lax about accurate quotation

When could neglectful be used to replace slack?

The words neglectful and slack can be used in similar contexts, but neglectful adds a more disapproving implication of laziness or deliberate inattention.

a society callously neglectful of the poor

In what contexts can negligent take the place of slack?

While the synonyms negligent and slack are close in meaning, negligent implies inattention to one's duty or business.

negligent about writing a note of thanks

When is it sensible to use remiss instead of slack?

The synonyms remiss and slack are sometimes interchangeable, but remiss implies blameworthy carelessness shown in slackness, forgetfulness, or neglect.

had been remiss in their familial duties

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of slack

Adjective

Before centre-back Gimenez could come on, more slack marking allowed Ferran Torres a free header to make it 2-2. —Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2025

My actual dining companion, dressed in her nonprofit workwear, was slack jawed at the precision of the seasoning. —Caroline Hatchett, Robb Report, 21 Apr. 2025

Noun

Industry-specific data also show that job losses are not concentrated in sectors with large immigrant workforces, further supporting the view that slack comes from weakened demand, not a supply constraint. —Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 8 Aug. 2025

Ladies are asked to wear dresses, skirts, blouses, dress sweaters, or dress slacks, while gentlemen are required to wear a suit or sport coat, necktie, and dress pants. —Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 4 Aug. 2025

Verb

Jason has decided to take it easy on him, even after a series of mistakes this week proves beyond a reasonable doubt that his bosun is slacking. —Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 24 Mar. 2025

Whether progress endures will depend on whether state policymakers resist the urge to slack on debt reduction at the first sign of improvement. —Andrew Fowler, Hartford Courant, 8 May 2025