as in deceleration
a usually gradual decrease in the pace or level of activity of something
scientists discovered that they could achieve the retardation of light if they shined it through a variety of substances
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of retardation
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, 28 July 2017
At the end Austen had psychomotor retardation and could barely move.
—Rene Chun, Los Angeles Magazine, 19 June 2017
The criteria were: episodes that last no longer than 2 months, and that do not include suicidal feelings, psychotic symptoms, psychomotor retardation, or feelings of worthlessness.
—Neuroskeptic, Discover Magazine, 15 Mar. 2013
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, 28 July 2017
At the end Austen had psychomotor retardation and could barely move.
—Rene Chun, Los Angeles Magazine, 19 June 2017
The criteria were: episodes that last no longer than 2 months, and that do not include suicidal feelings, psychotic symptoms, psychomotor retardation, or feelings of worthlessness.
—Neuroskeptic, Discover Magazine, 15 Mar. 2013
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retardation
Noun
-
In its most recent quarterly results, Microsoft’s closely watched Azure cloud-computing division posted a slight deceleration in growth from the prior quarter.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Do note, though, that the airbag will activate only in frontal accidents and under certain deceleration conditions.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
She was obligated to sing her big barnstormers on loop, which offered fans a cruel barometer by which to judge her decline.—
Matt Weinstock,
New Yorker,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Goldman Sachs said the recent pullback in gold prices was largely in line with historical patterns, citing higher interest rate expectations and market volatility as key drivers behind the decline.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
But in the kosher wine market the downturn looks more like a slowdown.—
Asaf Elia-Shalev,
Sun Sentinel,
23 Mar. 2026
-
The slowdown in headline inflation was largely driven by deepening energy deflation, following the resumption of generous electricity and gas subsidies, Surya said.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
23 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Drive smarter, not faster Speeding, rapid acceleration and hard braking are some of the biggest fuel drains.—
Deirdre Bardolf,
FOXNews.com,
28 Mar. 2026
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Several other passengers recalled the same hard braking and believed that pilot Forest put the plane into reverse thrust to slow it down just seconds before the crash.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Sorokin was locked in from the drop of the puck, denying Colin Blackwell on a shorthanded breakaway 10 minutes in and making a handful of other 10-bell saves on quality scoring chances in the first period alone.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
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By 2033, the trust fund will run dry, triggering that immense, across-the-board drop that is slated to punish the most vulnerable Americans by collapsing all benefits an equal share regardless of income.—
Shawn Tully,
Fortune,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Salim lets him, following paces behind, slump-shouldered.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
24 Mar. 2026
-
Short sellers are easing off broad wagers against the software sector after a bruising winter slump, but positioning in several individual stocks suggests bearishness is still running rampant below the surface.—
Yun Li,
CNBC,
24 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Retardation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retardation. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
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