braking 1 of 2

Definition of brakingnext
as in deceleration
a usually gradual decrease in the pace or level of activity of something there's always a braking in sales after lunch

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

braking

2 of 2

verb

present participle of brake

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of braking
Noun
Avoid sudden braking or acceleration, and be especially cautious on hills or when making turns. Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 15 Feb. 2026 Ease off the accelerator gradually and avoid abrupt braking to prevent skidding. Southern California Weather Report, Oc Register, 14 Feb. 2026 Tektro 4-piston hydraulic brakes with 180mm rotors deliver precise, fade-free braking even on fast descents and steep terrain. New Atlas, 13 Feb. 2026 Ease off the accelerator gradually and avoid abrupt braking to prevent skidding. Southern California Weather Report, Daily News, 11 Feb. 2026 As vehicles become increasingly software-defined and electrified, EMB systems are emerging as a cornerstone of next-generation braking, widely viewed by engineers as one of the most advanced and complete solutions for how cars should stop. Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 8 Feb. 2026 Some vehicles—particularly Hondas, and most notably the hot-selling CR-V—stash the distance sensors responsible for features like automatic emergency braking and radar cruise control behind the badge up front. Adam Ismail, The Drive, 5 Feb. 2026 His car offered dynamic braking with regenerative capabilities, using the motor to slow the car and recharge its battery, a feature that would not be seen in cars for another century. Bill Gourgey, Popular Science, 5 Feb. 2026 But there may be new tactics that could help the drivers, such as running at maximum revs through a corner or even dropping to first gear, the latter a rarity on an F1 track, in a bid to harvest more energy by maximizing engine braking when slowing the car. Luke Smith, New York Times, 30 Jan. 2026
Verb
But then, with one lap to go and the white flag already out, his Open-car competitor Corey LaJoie spun out, and instead of braking and avoiding the carnage, Mears smashed his foot on the pedal and zoomed ahead of LaJoie before the caution came out. Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 13 Feb. 2026 Stanton demonstrates his battery by shorting the coils, which halts the pendulum due to the magnetic field’s braking effect. Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 11 Feb. 2026 When the car finally got moving, protesters began throwing obstacles in its path — Lime scooters, bicycles, seemingly anything that might trigger the car’s automatic anti-collision braking system. Evan Minsker, Rolling Stone, 7 Feb. 2026 Unlike modern probes that descend on landing legs, Luna 9 jettisoned its orientation modules during descent and fired a braking engine. Ilya Ferapontov, Scientific American, 5 Feb. 2026 Modern high-speed trains use multiple braking systems. Ben Jones, CNN Money, 26 Jan. 2026 The advice, which calls for gently tapping on the brakes to slow down, only applies to older and certain newer vehicles not equipped with an anti-lock braking system (ABS). Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 22 Jan. 2026 Avoid braking abruptly when driving over a pothole as doing so will compress the vehicle’s suspension and add extra force to the tire. Jim Gorzelany, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026 Avoid making sharp turns or braking suddenly. Jamie Landers, Dallas Morning News, 21 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for braking
Noun
  • Lower prices at the pump One standout from Friday's report was energy prices, which showed a notable deceleration and helped lower the overall inflation reading, EY-Parthenon senior economist Lydia Boussour said in an email.
    Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 13 Feb. 2026
  • Although the regionalization had led to a deceleration in the growth of shipping costs throughout 2024 as the Everything Store aggressively embarked on its cost-cutting crusade, these expenses kicked back up into high gear throughout the 2025 fiscal year.
    Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 6 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • When traveling during snow or freezing rain, prioritize safety by slowing down.
    Southern California Weather Report, Daily News, 15 Feb. 2026
  • Don’t feel the need to burn yourselves out on a super packed schedule of pricey meals and activities, but instead balance it out with equal parts time spent doing things out and time spent simply slowing down and catching up, which can help for a more manageable budget.
    Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 15 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • 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, chicagotribune.com, 28 July 2017
Noun
  • The fiscal angst is most obvious in urban school districts, where enrollment declines are most severe and where unions are the strongest, often spending heavily to elect friendly school board members.
    Dan Walters, Mercury News, 18 Feb. 2026
  • Various projections have predicted a long-term decline of Wisconsin's population.
    Maia Pandey, jsonline.com, 18 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Rosehip oil can be applied pure to clean, dry skin on both the face and body using a few drops massaged in gently.
    Beatrice Zocchi, Vogue, 19 Feb. 2026
  • Some centers, like Brook Lopez at his peak with the Milwaukee Bucks or Ivica Zubac before his trade from the LA Clippers, tend to do their work quietly with stout positional defense in drop coverage and strong verticality while taking up an immense amount of space.
    Sam Vecenie, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • On the other hand, a slowdown was registered in Europe, penalized by the wholesale channel, and in China.
    Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 17 Feb. 2026
  • Crypto/options trading activity cooled materially after the market rolled over in early October 2025, and Robinhood's Q4 results reflected that slowdown.
    Michael Khouw, CNBC, 17 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Braking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/braking. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.

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