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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The concern is now shifted to faster growth deceleration and potentially larger CPI headwinds.—
Michael Bloom,
CNBC,
20 Oct. 2025
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But Gauff started more aggressively disrupting Pegula’s rhythm with her combination of heavy topspin and skidding slice, as well as acceleration and deceleration of the ball from groundstroke to groundstroke.—
James Hansen,
New York Times,
12 Oct. 2025
Noun
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That research has also linked ultraprocessed foods to health concerns like obesity, Type 2 diabetes, cognitive decline and cardiovascular disease.—
Alice Callahan,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
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These participants tended to report good physical health and strong social relationships, but their testing revealed small declines in memory and emotional awareness.—
Faye Chiu,
CNN Money,
15 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The upheaval comes as brands battle to reverse a slowdown in luxury consumption worldwide, with aspirational consumers turning their backs on high-ends goods after several years of steep price increases in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.—
Joelle Diderich,
Footwear News,
17 Oct. 2025
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That’s why a slowdown in Little Village threatens to have a spillover effect on Chicago.—
Nathaniel Meyersohn,
CNN Money,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Ease off the accelerator gradually and avoid abrupt braking to prevent skidding.—
Southern California Weather Report,
Oc Register,
14 Oct. 2025
-
Ease off the accelerator gradually and avoid abrupt braking to prevent skidding.—
Bay Area Weather Report,
Mercury News,
13 Oct. 2025
Noun
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New additives like preservatives, flavorings and vitamins were infused into them, and they were packaged in novel ways to withstand hard helicopter drops, wet beach landings and days at the bottom of rucksacks.—
Alice Callahan,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
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Drag performance, with its abundance of wigs, campy makeup and death drops, is ready-made for Halloween.—
John Metcalfe,
Mercury News,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Ohtani, though, doesn’t believe pitching has anything to do with his extended slump at the plate.—
Barry M. Bloom,
Sportico.com,
17 Oct. 2025
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The American whiskey industry is on the rocks, with anti-tariff backlash hurting exports and exacerbating the strains of a years-long slump in domestic demand.—
Hugh Cameron,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Retardation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retardation. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.
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