Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

slack

adjective

Synonyms and Antonyms of slack

1 failing to give proper care and attention
  • a building contractor known mainly for his firm's slack workmanship and slipshod construction
Synonyms of slack

careless, derelict, disregardful, lax, lazy, neglectful, neglecting, negligent, remiss
Words Related to slack

heedless, incautious, irresponsible, reckless, wild

unguarded, unwary

forgetful

disregardful, disregarding, inattentive, oblivious, thoughtless, unheeding, unmindful, unthinking

apathetic, disinterested, indifferent, unconcerned, uninterested

delinquent

loose
Near Antonyms of slack

meticulous, painstaking, punctilious

cautious, chary, circumspect, gingerly, guarded

alert, heedful, heeding, mindful, observant, regardful, regarding, vigilant, wary, watchful

foresighted, forethoughtful, provident, responsible

thinking, thoughtful

concerned, interested
Antonyms of slack

attentive, careful, conscientious, nonnegligent
2 not bound by rigid standards
  • slack supervision on the project
Synonyms of slack

easygoing, flexible, lax, loose, relaxed, unrestrained, unrestricted
Words Related to slack

careless, derelict, heedless, irresponsible, lazy, neglectful, negligent, remiss, slipshod, sloppy, sloven, slovenly, unfussy
Near Antonyms of slack

constrained, restrained, restricted, tight

careful, conscientious, exact, fussy, meticulous, painstaking, punctilious, scrupulous

implacable, inflexible
Antonyms of slack

hard, harsh, rigid, rigorous, severe, stern, strict
3 not tightly fastened, tied, or stretched
  • left the ropes slack
Synonyms of slack

insecure, lax, loose, loosened, relaxed, slackened, unsecured
Words Related to slack

detached, free, unattached, unbound, undone, unfastened, untied

baggy, blousy, saggy
Near Antonyms of slack

constrained, restrained

attached, bound, fastened, tied

fast, firm, jammed, snug, stuck, wedged
Antonyms of slack

taut, tense, tight

Synonym Discussion of slack

negligent, neglectful, lax, slack, remiss mean culpably careless or indicative of such carelessness. negligent implies inattention to one's duty or business.
    • negligent about writing a note of thanks
neglectful adds a more disapproving implication of laziness or deliberate inattention.
    • a society callously neglectful of the poor
lax implies a blameworthy lack of strictness, severity, or precision.
    • a reporter lax about accurate quotation
slack implies want of due or necessary diligence or care.
    • slack workmanship
remiss implies blameworthy carelessness shown in slackness, forgetfulness, or neglect.
    • had been remiss in their familial duties

slack

noun

Synonyms and Antonyms of slack

1 an allowable margin of freedom or variation
  • our boss doesn't cut us any slack when it comes to being back from lunch on time
Synonyms of slack

latitude, leeway, space, wiggle room
Words Related to slack

license (or licence), rein, swing
2 the extent to which something hangs or dips below a straight line
  • take up the slack of a rope
Synonyms of slack

droop, hang, sag, slackness
Words Related to slack

floppiness, laxity, laxness, limpness, looseness
Near Antonyms of slack

rigidity, rigidness, tautness, tenseness, tension, tightness
3 slacks plural an outer garment covering each leg separately from waist to ankle
  • she prefers wearing slacks instead of a dress
Synonyms of slack

breeches, britches, pantaloons, pants, trousers
Words Related to slack

baggies, bell-bottoms, blue jeans, cargo pants, cords, corduroys, denims, jeans

hose, legging (or leggin), sweatpants

pants suit, pantsuit

bloomers, knee breeches, knickerbockers

slack

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of slack

to make less taut
  • the skipper ordered the crew to slack off the sheets on the mainsail
Synonyms of slack

ease, loosen, relax, slacken
Words Related to slack

detach, free, unbind, undo, unfasten, untie
Near Antonyms of slack

attach, bind, fasten, tie

constrain, restrain
Antonyms of slack

strain, stretch, tense, tension, tighten

Learn More about slack

  1. See words that rhyme with slack Dictionary: Definition of slack Spanish Central: Translation of slack Nglish: Translation of slack for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of slack for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up slack? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show comments hide comments
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

insuperable

Listen to the pronounciation of insuperable

incapable of being surmounted or overcome

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. concentration camp Debate over detentions drives searches

  2. animus AOC discusses impeachment

  3. auspice Trump comments on North Korea rumors

SEE ALL
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games