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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Pars injuries typically present in individuals at around 95-96 per cent of their adult stature, at the deceleration point of the adolescent growth spurt, says Cumming.—
Sarah Shephard,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
-
The New Shape of the Curve Year-to-date production growth for 2025 marks a noticeable deceleration compared to the peak shale boom years, when annual growth often ran in the double digits.—
Robert Rapier,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Treasury yields fell Wednesday after new data showed a surprise decline in private payrolls, while traders monitored the consequences of the government shutdown after lawmakers failed to reach an agreement on the federal funding bill.—
Sean Conlon,Sawdah Bhaimiya,
CNBC,
1 Oct. 2025
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The company may still boast one of Silicon Valley’s most storied names, but its staff, which numbered 96,000 as of the end of July, had worked for years through nearly uninterrupted decline, watching their company lose nearly all relevance.—
Lila MacLellan,
Fortune,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
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China’s stockmarket soars despite slowdown China’s economy showed possible signs of a rebound from a long-term slump, while its stock market remains on a historic bull run.—
Reed Albergotti,
semafor.com,
3 Oct. 2025
-
That would be a pickup from the 22,000 jobs added the previous month, but a big slowdown compared to the 240,000 jobs added this time last year.—
Scott Horsley,
NPR,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Ease off the accelerator gradually and avoid abrupt braking to prevent skidding.—
Southern California Weather Report,
Oc Register,
29 Sep. 2025
-
Safety equipment includes forward collision warning with pedestrian detection and low-speed automatic emergency braking, post-crash braking and driver fatigue monitoring.—
James Raia,
Mercury News,
28 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Follow the album drop LIVE with USA TODAY Taylor Swift Reporter Byran West and read USA TODAY's glittering review of Swift's playful pop.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
3 Oct. 2025
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Transform a small entryway into a functional living area by incorporating a bench for seating, a side table, and a chest of drawers for drop-zone storage near the door.—
Leanne Potts,
Better Homes & Gardens,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
China’s stockmarket soars despite slowdown China’s economy showed possible signs of a rebound from a long-term slump, while its stock market remains on a historic bull run.—
Reed Albergotti,
semafor.com,
3 Oct. 2025
-
A little over a week after Bessent announced his pledge to back the nation, traders drove the price of the peso down against the dollar with Bloomberg reporting that the domestic government had been forced to sell dollars in order to stem the slump.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
3 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Retardation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retardation. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
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