slack 1 of 3

1
2
3

slack

2 of 3

noun

1
as in latitude
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 & Similar Words

2
as in slackness
the extent to which something hangs or dips below a straight line take up the slack of a rope

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3

slack

3 of 3

verb

as in to loosen
to make less taut the skipper ordered the crew to slack off the sheets on the mainsail

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word slack different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of slack are lax, neglectful, negligent, and remiss. While all these words mean "culpably careless or indicative of such carelessness," slack implies want of due or necessary diligence or care.

slack workmanship

When might lax be a better fit than slack?

While in some cases nearly identical to slack, lax implies a blameworthy lack of strictness, severity, or precision.

a reporter lax about accurate quotation

When could neglectful be used to replace slack?

The words neglectful and slack can be used in similar contexts, but neglectful adds a more disapproving implication of laziness or deliberate inattention.

a society callously neglectful of the poor

In what contexts can negligent take the place of slack?

While the synonyms negligent and slack are close in meaning, negligent implies inattention to one's duty or business.

negligent about writing a note of thanks

When is it sensible to use remiss instead of slack?

The synonyms remiss and slack are sometimes interchangeable, but remiss implies blameworthy carelessness shown in slackness, forgetfulness, or neglect.

had been remiss in their familial duties

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of slack
Adjective
In the footage, the wooden wall can be seen falling forward with a thud, while two vertical cables hang behind, apparently slack. Jake Kanter, Deadline, 27 June 2025 Flying Squirrel Trampoline Park, 3305 Corporate Ave, Weston, is an indoor entertainment park with trampolines, dodgeball court, battle beam, climbing walls, ropes course, slack line, dunk hoops, ninja course arcade games, children’s areas (soft-play playground) and the Drey Café. Rod Stafford Hagwood, Sun Sentinel, 25 June 2025
Noun
Apple is not under the same pressure as its peers to produce for the box office and hope that streaming can pick up the slack. Brian Welk, IndieWire, 13 Oct. 2025 Lands' End Starfish Mid-rise Straight-leg Pants These Lands’ End straight-leg pants combine the stretchy, comfortable feel of leggings with the polished look of slacks. Melony Forcier, Travel + Leisure, 8 Oct. 2025
Verb
The potential causes can range from something as innocuous as slacking on your hydration to an ear condition or even a serious emergency, like a stroke. Rachel Nall, SELF, 17 June 2025 Whether progress endures will depend on whether state policymakers resist the urge to slack on debt reduction at the first sign of improvement. Andrew Fowler, Hartford Courant, 8 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for slack
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slack
Adjective
  • Whether making breakfast for a lazy Saturday morning, feeding a house full of guests, or prepping for a potluck brunch, breakfast casseroles will always be a crowd favorite.
    Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 18 Oct. 2025
  • Meanwhile, the room service menu, which blended everything from soups and sandwiches to expansive plates, was a great option for breakfast in bed or a lazy lunch.
    Victoria Uwumarogie, Essence, 10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The sneakers are designed with a lightweight EVA midsole for flexible support and a rubber outsole that boosts durability.
    Toni Sutton, PEOPLE, 24 Oct. 2025
  • If your schedule is flexible, look at departures on weekdays, especially early and mid-week.
    Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • 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
  • Presidents have wide latitude to deploy the Guard, and protection of federal property is an obvious justification in this season of violent hostility to ICE.
    Newsweek Contributors, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
  • As if this weren’t enough reason to look up, Comet SWAN will make its own cameo further east, and if weather permits, the northern lights could ripple across high-latitude skies, painting them with ribbons of green and pink.
    Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 20 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The number of foreign residents has risen sharply in recent years, reaching a record 3 percent of the population in 2024, as Tokyo cautiously loosened visa rules for workers in key industries such as manufacturing, agriculture, and caregiving.
    Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
  • If your windows are heavily dirty, let the solution sit for a couple of minutes to loosen the dirt.
    Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Additional charges included negligently driving a vehicle in a careless and imprudent manner, endangering property, life, and person, as well as recklessly driving a vehicle in wanton and willful disregard for the safety of persons and property.
    Diane J. Cho, PEOPLE, 22 Oct. 2025
  • Young Christoph wrote in the knowledge that Bonhoeffer’s correspondence was being monitored and that a careless word could have fatal consequences.
    Alex Ross, New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Dressed up with sleek pencil skirts or down with relaxed jeans, the versatile layer has been spotted on A-listers like Kate Middleton, Oprah Winfrey, Gwyneth Paltrow, Keri Russell, and more.
    Izzy Baskette, PEOPLE, 23 Oct. 2025
  • The relaxed, oversized fit makes for a cozy feel.
    Christopher Murray may earn a commission if you buy through our referral links. This content was created by a team that works independently from the Fox newsroom., FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The loose fit is perfect for layering, too, and packs down surprisingly well.
    Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 26 Oct. 2025
  • That said, shoppers note that the sweater is tight-fitting and recommend sizing up for a looser fit, similar to Paltrow’s knit.
    Melony Forcier, PEOPLE, 26 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Slack.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slack. Accessed 26 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on slack

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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