as in to slow
to cause to move or proceed at a less rapid pace
an herbicide to retard the growth of weeds
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Recent Examples of retard
As engine revs increase, centrifugal force alters the valve timing by a few degrees, either advancing or retarding it.
—
Utkarsh Sood
june 17, New Atlas, 17 June 2025
Genesis Yes, the thing retarding recruitment below pre-2022 levels may be, at least in part, a military-wide health-records update that, much like MyChart in the civilian health-care world, tracks the medications of all service members.
—Luther Ray Abel, National Review, 9 Feb. 2024
It can be combatted by at least three means: by adding water injection, which Pontiac has avoided for a number of good reasons; by enriching the fuel-air mixture, which is unfortunately contrary to efficiency goals and therefore used sparingly; and by retarding ignition timing.
—Don Sherman, Car and Driver, 1 May 2023
But that approach is rather slow to respond and is limited to applying retarding force.
—IEEE Spectrum, 26 June 2018
Blockchain thus provides companies and banks a way to undo Basel II’s and Basel III’s retarding effect on trade finance while complying with their requirements.
—Rebecca Liao, Foreign Affairs, 16 Aug. 2017
Utkarsh Sood
june 17, New Atlas, 17 June 2025
Genesis Yes, the thing retarding recruitment below pre-2022 levels may be, at least in part, a military-wide health-records update that, much like MyChart in the civilian health-care world, tracks the medications of all service members.
—Luther Ray Abel, National Review, 9 Feb. 2024
It can be combatted by at least three means: by adding water injection, which Pontiac has avoided for a number of good reasons; by enriching the fuel-air mixture, which is unfortunately contrary to efficiency goals and therefore used sparingly; and by retarding ignition timing.
—Don Sherman, Car and Driver, 1 May 2023
But that approach is rather slow to respond and is limited to applying retarding force.
—IEEE Spectrum, 26 June 2018
Blockchain thus provides companies and banks a way to undo Basel II’s and Basel III’s retarding effect on trade finance while complying with their requirements.
—Rebecca Liao, Foreign Affairs, 16 Aug. 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retard
Verb
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Going to a zone defense slowed Minnesota down further in the fourth, but the Nuggets weren’t generating the shots they’re used to getting automatically.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
24 Apr. 2026
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Winning the battle One of the key battle points in this series is the Bruins’ attempt to slow down Buffalo’s talented defensemen.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Today's industrial stocks include a company that makes braking systems for trains out of Wilmerding, Pennsylvania as well as a trucking manufacturer in Bellevue, Washington.—
Josh Brown,Sean Russo,
CNBC,
20 Apr. 2026
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Reigniting its engines for two braking burns, the booster settled onto the ship for a smoky but on-target touchdown less than 10 minutes after liftoff.—
Stephen Clark,
ArsTechnica,
19 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Retard.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retard. Accessed 28 Apr. 2026.
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