Definition of retardationnext
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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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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 degree of retardation is usually mild, but can be moderate to severe. — Mark Cohen, Discover Magazine, 4 Apr. 2012
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retardation
Noun
  • Concerns about this recent deceleration aside, a slight quarter-to-quarter boost is obviously preferable to the bundle’s comparable loss of 953,000 customers between the first and second quarters of this year.
    — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 23 Sep. 2026
  • Altman and SpaceX's Elon Musk quickly backed Amodei's push for deceleration.
    — CJ Haddad, CNBC, 23 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • That was a sharp decline from the previous few years, when more than 100,000 people died of drug overdoses.
    — Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 23 Sep. 2026
  • But the new report, which also presents trends over the past decade, shows a decline in suicidal thinking and behaviors, which initially showed up in the 2023 YRBS data.
    — Rhitu Chatterjee, NPR, 23 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • The separate releases are the first to roll out since Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei called for an industry-wide slowdown on developing advanced AI as the debate about model safety reached a fever pitch in recent weeks.
    — CJ Haddad, CNBC, 22 Sep. 2026
  • That has the potential to be a natural slowdown of its own, and these models are both being positioned for that new, on-the-ground reality.
    — Samuel Axon, ArsTechnica, 22 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Seat height is listed at 31 inches (786 mm); braking comes in the form of single discs front and back.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 22 Sep. 2026
  • EVs use regenerative braking to recapture some of the energy normally lost while slowing down and send it back to the battery.
    — Lauren Swift, AJC.com, 18 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • One play before the touchdown, Cobb made up for his earlier drop with a catch-and-run on a screen pass that went for 46 yards and moved the ball to the Kennesaw State 2.
    — Michael Harley, Arkansas Online, 27 Sep. 2026
  • The travel-booking company also says that travelers headed to major cities for Thanksgiving or Christmas could see a price drop for hotels in the last 24-48 hours before the holiday.
    — Ayesha Ali, ABC News, 26 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • From this perspective, the fertility slump is a record of frustrated longing.
    — Margaret Talbot, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2026
  • China remains a key battleground for luxury brands seeking to revive growth after a two-year slump.
    — Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 21 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Retardation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retardation. Accessed 29 Sep. 2026.

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