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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of retardation
The degree of retardation is usually mild, but can be moderate to severe.
—
Mark Cohen, Discover Magazine, 4 Apr. 2012
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
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 Vantage’s brake pedal has a nice firm weight but little travel, retardation being down to pressure rather than movement.
—Mike Duff, Car and Driver, 28 Feb. 2018
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 front wheels threaten to lock up under what feels like normal levels of retardation at low speeds.
—Mike Duff, Car and Driver, 30 June 2017
Mark Cohen, Discover Magazine, 4 Apr. 2012
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
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 Vantage’s brake pedal has a nice firm weight but little travel, retardation being down to pressure rather than movement.
—Mike Duff, Car and Driver, 28 Feb. 2018
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 front wheels threaten to lock up under what feels like normal levels of retardation at low speeds.
—Mike Duff, Car and Driver, 30 June 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retardation
Noun
-
The modest share price increase to A$42 came despite a decline in the company’s net profit from $13.7 billion to $10.2 billion in the 12 months to June 30.—
Tim Treadgold,
Forbes.com,
19 Aug. 2025
-
Black bear sightings on the rise Similar to bobcats, the black bear population is on the rise after experiencing a population decline in the 1800s due to hunting and habitat loss.—
Kaycee Sloan,
The Enquirer,
18 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Top-line revenue growth also accelerated slightly quarter-over-quarter, even though analysts were expecting a slowdown there.—
Brendan Ahern,
Forbes.com,
13 Aug. 2025
-
Higher speeds allow more devices to connect at once without slowdowns.—
Kara McGinley,
USA Today,
11 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Most of this year’s drop comes from traditional district-run schools, which now have 191,507 students, down 8,733 students from a year ago.—
Scott Travis,
Sun Sentinel,
17 Aug. 2025
-
Now, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold has received one of its biggest price drops yet just days before the Pixel 10 debuts.—
Janhoi McGregor,
Forbes.com,
16 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Foreign investor holdings of Treasuries climbed to a record high in June, showcasing sustained overseas demand for US government debt even as a slump in the dollar stoked concerns about sentiment toward American assets.—
Orianna Rosa Royle,
Fortune,
17 Aug. 2025
-
But since the start of August, he's been mired in an inexplicable, horrific slump.—
Jackson Roberts,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Retardation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retardation. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.
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