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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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
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Lower prices at the pump One standout from Friday's report was energy prices, which showed a notable deceleration and helped lower the overall inflation reading, EY-Parthenon senior economist Lydia Boussour said in an email.—
Mary Cunningham,
CBS News,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Although the regionalization had led to a deceleration in the growth of shipping costs throughout 2024 as the Everything Store aggressively embarked on its cost-cutting crusade, these expenses kicked back up into high gear throughout the 2025 fiscal year.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The fiscal angst is most obvious in urban school districts, where enrollment declines are most severe and where unions are the strongest, often spending heavily to elect friendly school board members.—
Dan Walters,
Mercury News,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Various projections have predicted a long-term decline of Wisconsin's population.—
Maia Pandey,
jsonline.com,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
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On the other hand, a slowdown was registered in Europe, penalized by the wholesale channel, and in China.—
Luisa Zargani,
Footwear News,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Crypto/options trading activity cooled materially after the market rolled over in early October 2025, and Robinhood's Q4 results reflected that slowdown.—
Michael Khouw,
CNBC,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Avoid sudden braking or acceleration, and be especially cautious on hills or when making turns.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Ease off the accelerator gradually and avoid abrupt braking to prevent skidding.—
Southern California Weather Report,
Oc Register,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Rosehip oil can be applied pure to clean, dry skin on both the face and body using a few drops massaged in gently.—
Beatrice Zocchi,
Vogue,
19 Feb. 2026
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Some centers, like Brook Lopez at his peak with the Milwaukee Bucks or Ivica Zubac before his trade from the LA Clippers, tend to do their work quietly with stout positional defense in drop coverage and strong verticality while taking up an immense amount of space.—
Sam Vecenie,
New York Times,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Ives isn’t alone in viewing the software slump as a red herring.—
Tristan Bove,
Fortune,
17 Feb. 2026
-
How was a young vet like Josh Jung to pull himself out of an offensive quagmire if everybody else was too focused on their own slumps and routines?—
Evan Grant,
Dallas Morning News,
15 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Retardation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retardation. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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