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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Los Angeles made a move for their future by taking Ty Simpson in the draft, but Matthew Stafford isn’t poised to slow down after his MVP season.—
Sam Warren,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
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Certain exercises can help slow bone loss and stimulate bone growth.—
RikkiLynn Shields Hannigan,
Health,
14 May 2026
Verb
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This prevents the anti-lock braking system (ABS) module from running a brake pad self-adjustment routine that can contribute to the battery drain.—
Hartford Courant,
Hartford Courant,
12 May 2026
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And because there can only be an electric motor at the rear axle, not the front—supposedly out of fear that new entrant Audi would have too much of an advantage—cars could regenerate just a fraction of the total energy possible under braking.—
Jonathan M. Gitlin,
ArsTechnica,
11 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Retard.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retard. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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