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
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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
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Maximum deceleration subjects New Shepard crews to about five times the normal pull of gravity.—
William Harwood,
CBS News,
20 Dec. 2025
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That represents a deceleration of the 18 percent growth in fiscal 2025, according to William Blair analyst Sharon Zackfia.—
Vicki M. Young,
Footwear News,
18 Dec. 2025
Noun
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Mixing and juxtaposing voices, lingos, and tones, [Dylan] traces the decline of America over the trajectory of his own lifetime through the kaleidoscope of the Kennedy assassination.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Despite the beat, total revenue fell 3 percent year over year, marking the company’s first annual decline.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
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If this figure is more reliable, then there has been a flattening of growth and a spending slowdown in Europe.—
Kevin Rozario,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
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Conversely, economic slowdown could pressure silver more severely than gold, as industrial users might seek substitutes or reduce consumption when prices remain elevated.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The system offers 31 degrees of freedom, including articulated hands, a multi-DOF waist with braking, a movable head, and binocular vision for human-like perception.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Jan. 2026
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The sensor sits at the lower part of the front bumper or behind the front emblem and operates features such as cruise control and collision mitigation braking.—
Andrew Adeolu,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Gregor Gregersen, founder of precious-metals dealer Silver Bullion, said the abrupt nature of the drop suggested something a bit other than orderly profit-taking.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
30 Jan. 2026
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Continue reading … PANIC PLAYBOOK – School board members slam 'fearmongering' over immigration as attendance drops.—
,
FOXNews.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
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That last-minute development is reviving debate about the extent of state support for Vanke, one of the last major developers to have avoided an outright default after a broader property market slump sparked record debt failures in recent years.—
Bloomberg News,
Bloomberg,
28 Jan. 2026
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Some of the biggest technology stocks in the market could wake up in 2026 after a recent slump, according to Melius Research.—
Pia Singh,
CNBC,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Retardation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retardation. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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