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 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
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These adjustment to scheduling, along with staffing changes and dining revenue declines, are impacting not just Jack Fry's, but the entire Louisville restaurant economy.—
Amanda Hancock,
The Courier-Journal,
26 July 2025
-
The world’s wealthiest nations are moving away from it, but the momentum in Asia and the Global South is more than enough to offset those declines.—
Robert Rapier,
Forbes.com,
25 July 2025
Noun
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Meanwhile, the Energy Institute’s recent Statistical Review of World Energy 2025, a global report that was once compiled by BP until very recently, did not directly predict a peak, but noted that some regions and nations - especially China - are seeing a slowdown or plateau in oil demand.—
Gaurav Sharma,
Forbes.com,
19 July 2025
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Retail sales rose a better-than-expected 0.6% in June, the Commerce Department said Thursday, after two consecutive months of spending declines, a 0.1% pullback in April and a 0.9% slowdown in May.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
17 July 2025
Noun
-
New episodes of The Sandman drop on Netflix at 3 a.m.—
Christopher Rudolph,
People.com,
24 July 2025
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The local decline in veteran homelessness is part of a record-breaking drop across the U.S. since 2010, when the federal government began a focused effort to end homelessness among veterans.—
Jordan Smith,
IndyStar,
24 July 2025
Noun
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Dine Out Lauderdale, Broward County’s recipe for recharging restaurants through the slow summer slump, returns Aug. 1-Sept. 30 with 137 (and counting) eateries selling multi-course lunches and dinners for $35 to $75, minus tax and gratuity.—
Phillip Valys,
Sun Sentinel,
25 July 2025
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The Boston Red Sox are in position to buy at the MLB trade deadline despite a 2-4 slump against top talent coming out of the All-Star break.—
Tim Crowley,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Retardation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retardation. Accessed 1 Aug. 2025.
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