Synonyms of decelerate

decelerate

verb

(ˌ)dē-ˈse-lə-ˌrāt 

as in to slow

to cause to move or proceed at a less rapid pace

she decelerated the car as we entered the school zone

Synonyms & Similar Words

• slow
• brake
• inhibit
• retard
• slacken
• stop
• hinder
• impede
• restrain
• halt
• obstruct
• curb
• hamper
• check
• tie up
• encumber
• set back
• thwart
• constrain
• rein
• hold back
• handicap
• frustrate
• arrest
• hobble
• sabotage
• bottleneck
• hold up
• foil
• baffle

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• accelerate
• hasten
• hurry
• speed (up)
• rush
• step up
• encourage
• push
• urge
• drive
• quicken
• stir
• propel
• spur
• help
• facilitate
• forward
• aid
• advance
• expedite
• further
• ease
• goad
• dispatch

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of decelerate

The capsule decelerated from orbital speeds of more than 17,000 miles per hour (27,359 kilometers per hour) to less than 20 miles per hour (32 kilometers per hour) as the vehicle hit the ocean. —Jackie Wattles, CNN, 18 Mar. 2025

In 2025 and 2026, this trend might decelerate, though, with a potentially looming recession that could further depress the demand for luxury watches. —Stéphane Jg Girod, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025

The report showed average hourly earnings climbed at a firm pace from the prior month, but decelerated on an annual basis to the slowest rate since July. —Bloomberg, Mercury News, 4 Apr. 2025

Job growth – another big prop to the economy – continues, although at a decelerating rate. —Laurent Belsie, Christian Science Monitor, 2 Apr. 2025