Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

slacken

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of slacken

1 to make less taut

  • you'll need to slacken the rope a bit to get it free of that post
Synonyms of slacken

ease, loosen, relax, slack
Words Related to slacken

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

attach, bind, fasten, tie

constrain, restrain
Antonyms of slacken

strain, stretch, tense, tension, tighten

2 to cause to move or proceed at a less rapid pace

  • drivers need to slacken their speed as they approach the sharp curve
Synonyms of slacken

brake, decelerate, retard, slow
Words Related to slacken

halt, stop

encumber, hamper, handicap, hinder, hobble, hold back, hold up, impede, inhibit, obstruct, set back, tie up

bottleneck

arrest, check, constrain, curb, rein, restrain

baffle, foil, frustrate, sabotage, thwart
Near Antonyms of slacken

drive, encourage, goad, propel, push, spur, stir, urge

advance, aid, dispatch, ease, expedite, facilitate, forward, further, help
Antonyms of slacken

accelerate, hasten, hurry, quicken, rush, speed (up), step up

Synonym Discussion of slacken

delay, retard, slow, slacken, detain mean to cause to be late or behind in movement or progress. delay implies a holding back, usually by interference, from completion or arrival.
    • bad weather delayed our arrival
retard suggests reduction of speed without actual stopping.
    • language barriers retarded their progress
slow and slacken also imply a reduction of speed, slow often suggesting deliberate intention
    • medication slowed the patient's heart rate
, slacken an easing up or relaxing of power or effort.
    • on hot days runners slacken their pace
detain implies a holding back beyond a reasonable or appointed time.
    • unexpected business had detained her

Learn More about slacken

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

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up slacken? 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!

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