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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Analysts expect a deceleration in late 2025 or 2026, though guidance keeps rising.—
Jim Edwards,
Fortune,
5 Sep. 2025
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After successful deceleration and landing burns, B1083 softly touched down on SpaceX's A Shortfall of Gravitas droneship in the Atlantic Ocean about six minutes later.—
Josh Dinner,
Space.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Chinese authorities said that headline CPI had slipped into negative territory largely due to the high-base last year and lower food prices, while crediting the narrower decline in producer prices in part to Beijing's efforts in regulating the excessive price competition.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
10 Sep. 2025
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Apple—which topped the World’s Best Companies list in 2024—is notably absent this year due to a decline in revenue from 2022 to 2024, which many Wall Street analysts have postulated could be due to the company falling behind on AI.—
Charlotte Hu,
Time,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Investors are betting the slowdown will force the Fed’s hand.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
5 Sep. 2025
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The Friday report found that employers added just 22,000 jobs the month of August, continuing a slowdown in hiring.—
Solcyré Burga,
Time,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
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This saves energy and minimizes the need for braking.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Sep. 2025
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There's 40 percent more regenerative braking than BMW's current powertrains.—
Jonathan M. Gitlin,
ArsTechnica,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Sabalenka, who has the much greater variety of the two players, started to bring the drop shot into play.—
Charlie Eccleshare,
New York Times,
5 Sep. 2025
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Ultimately, costly mistakes — a Miles Sanders red zone fumble in the third quarter and three drops from CeeDee Lamb in the fourth quarter — gave the Eagles a slim 24-20 victory.—
Nick Harris,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Mired in a terrible second-half slump, the center fielder went 2-for-3 with two sacrifice flies after not starting Tuesday and Wednesday and an off day Thursday.—
Jeff Vorva,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Sep. 2025
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Meghan Markle's cooking show failed to make the top 10 on Netflix, and PR experts told Newsweek that the slump will likely rule out a third season.—
Jack Royston,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Retardation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retardation. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.
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