slack 1 of 3

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slack

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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
But, as our offices become more mobile, and our tether to a single home base becomes increasingly slack, these rules have changed. Zachary Weiss, Vogue, 21 Oct. 2024 Levi's Wedgie Straight Jeans, $31 with Prime Aside from a cropped length, which these still have, a straight-leg fit displays your curves in a more slack way. Alyssa Grabinski, People.com, 9 Oct. 2024
Noun
Kissinger posed next to his wife, wearing a white button-down and gray slacks. Kayla Grant, People.com, 22 Apr. 2025 Cruise was seen in a white polo shirt, gray slacks and a navy jacket. Janelle Ash, FOXNews.com, 16 Apr. 2025
Verb
But slacking on your own preventative care and medical appointments just puts you at greater risk of experiencing a health issue—like Guthrie’s anxiety attack a few years ago. Korin Miller, SELF, 21 Jan. 2025 Aquarius' Health & Wellness Horoscope in 2025 Don't slack on your well-being, Aquarius! Skyler Caruso, People.com, 23 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for slack
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slack
Adjective
  • How To Solve Today’s Wordle The Hint: A lazy person.
    Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025
  • Other park pulls include a big mix of kiddie rides and Soak City, a 20-acre water park with thrilling slides, a wave pool, and a lazy river.
    Ashlea Halpern, AFAR Media, 29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The ragtag group joins together under the watchful eye of Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus), a morally flexible private-sector spook who has been named the head of the CIA in the new film.
    Eliana Dockterman, Time, 30 Apr. 2025
  • Want a new career that’s higher-paying, more flexible or fulfilling?
    Celia Fernandez, CNBC, 30 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • California has been in the process of implementing various new regulations to give insurers more latitude to raise premiums in exchange for issuing more policies in high-risk areas.
    CBS News, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2025
  • The times and dates given apply to mid-northern latitudes.
    Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy slashed crash reporting requirements and loosened safety requirements for test vehicles, giving the auto industry more room to experiment, though whether that's at the expense of public safety remains to be seen.
    Emily Forlini, PC Magazine, 30 Apr. 2025
  • For the first time this series, the Avalanche were scrambling, loosening up offensively, which invariably loosened things up defensively.
    Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Sauter pleaded no contest to several charges, including vehicular homicide and careless operation of a motor vehicle without a valid driver’s license resulting in death.
    Frank Fernandez, USA Today, 17 Apr. 2025
  • McIlroy wasted a superb opening round with two careless double bogeys leaving him seven shots behind.
    Doug Ferguson, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Inspired by Spain’s vibrant tapas scene, Bulla’s brunch is all about shareable bites, bold flavors and a relaxed, celebratory atmosphere — perfect for honoring Mom.
    Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 May 2025
  • Flight attendants have slightly more relaxed regulations, but their duty periods are also capped at 14 hours and are generally required to have at least 10 hours of rest between 14-hour duty periods.
    Zach Wichter, USA Today, 1 May 2025
Adjective
  • Iconic examples abound, from Yves Saint Laurent’s Le Smoking to Armani’s loose takes that made trousers for women permissible evening attire.
    Naomi Rougeau, Robb Report, 25 Apr. 2025
  • In these, the enemy is not a standing army but various terrorist organizations and looser categories of hostiles, enmeshed in large civilian populations.
    Colin Jones, New Yorker, 25 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The combination of humor, humility, and skill made Arya stand out in a space dominated by polished perfection.
    Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2025
  • There’s simply too much competition in the AI space right now, with compelling offerings available from other services, such as ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Claude, to name just a few, all vying for your subscription fees.
    Paul Monckton, Forbes.com, 26 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Slack.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slack. Accessed 6 May. 2025.

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