1
as in lazy
failing to give proper care and attention
a building contractor known mainly for his firm's slack workmanship and slipshod construction
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in flexible
not bound by rigid standards
slack supervision on the project
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in loosened
not tightly fastened, tied, or stretched
left the ropes slack
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
2
3
as in pants
slacks plural
an outer garment covering each leg separately from waist to ankle
she prefers wearing slacks instead of a dress
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of slack
Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 17 Sep. 2025
Oscar Bobb seized on a slack pass and led a counter-attack with Haaland and Reijnders on either side.
—Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2025
Paul Elie, New Yorker, 5 Jan. 2026
This interpretation of the events pledges fealty to the source material, sometimes at the expense of character development, but the film’s all-star cast is more than equipped to pick up the slack.
—Lia Beck, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Dec. 2025
George Packer, The Atlantic, 6 Nov. 2025
Conventional mooring setups can easily become overextended or slack as levels shift, forcing operators to perform manual readjustments or face operational risks.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 7 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for slack
Adjective
For months, Wall Street commentators have fretted that the artificial intelligence boom looks like a bubble, with capital spending – which some analysts estimate could reach $3 trillion by 2028 – fattening a few mega-cap firms, while lower-income workers suffer from a slack labor market.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 17 Sep. 2025
Oscar Bobb seized on a slack pass and led a counter-attack with Haaland and Reijnders on either side.
—Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2025
Noun
The yearbook—Prevost was the editor—shows him in a dress shirt and striped slacks, a slight young man with thick black hair and sideburns, singing enthusiastically with a group of students, one of whom plays an accordion.
—Paul Elie, New Yorker, 5 Jan. 2026
This interpretation of the events pledges fealty to the source material, sometimes at the expense of character development, but the film’s all-star cast is more than equipped to pick up the slack.
—Lia Beck, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Dec. 2025
Verb
Selva raised her chin, causing the length of rope above the noose to go slightly slack.
—George Packer, The Atlantic, 6 Nov. 2025
Conventional mooring setups can easily become overextended or slack as levels shift, forcing operators to perform manual readjustments or face operational risks.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 7 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for slack
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slack
Adjective
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This dreamy weather makes December through April the best time for spending lazy hours on some of Jamaica's best beaches.—
Carley Rojas Avila,
Travel + Leisure,
30 Jan. 2026
-
There are lazy ways to do this, and there are more robust ways to do so.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The researchers also observed superconductivity in flexible films made from niobium carbide nanoscrolls.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
30 Jan. 2026
-
More companies are dialing back flexible work schedules and mandating that employees return to the office part-time or full-time, forcing women into tough situations.—
Jessica Guynn,
USA Today,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Next, carefully remove the bowl from the microwave and use a microfiber cloth to wipe away all the loosened grime.—
Maria Sabella,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 Aug. 2025
Noun
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That’s around the latitude of my favorite aurora-hunting perches like Fairbanks, Alaska; South Greenland; and Iceland (the entire island is within the oval).—
Stephanie Vermillion,
Outside,
27 Jan. 2026
-
That means possible auroras at high latitudes.—
Jamie Carter,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
After reaching the ship’s location, the Coast Guard icebreaker made multiple close passes through the surrounding ice to loosen the frozen pack.—
Kelly McGreal,
FOXNews.com,
28 Jan. 2026
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Experts who were asked to review the changes by NPR agreed that the net effect was to loosen the standards.—
Geoff Brumfiel,
NPR,
28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Prevent damage by avoiding sodium ice melt, careless plowing, and watering dormant grass.—
David Beaulieu,
The Spruce,
28 Jan. 2026
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Among the violations for which troopers most frequently issued citations in 2025 were careless driving, operating a motorcycle without a license endorsement, and speeding 10 mph to 29 mph over the limit.—
Bruce Finley,
Denver Post,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The knit has stretch, but sizing can vary — shoppers suggest going up a size for a relaxed, oversized fit that feels intentional and elevated.—
Taylor Jean Stephan,
PEOPLE,
26 Jan. 2026
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Linen brings natural cooling performance and a relaxed, refined texture.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Bam Adebayo snagged the loose ball and slung a pass back to Powell, only for Dosunmu to pick it off once again.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Jan. 2026
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The actor paired his with a pair of loose white cargo pants, featuring a baggy, oversized fit and wide legs.—
Karla Rodriguez,
Footwear News,
30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Slack.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slack. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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