slacken

Synonym Chooser

How is the word slacken distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of slacken are delay, detain, retard, and slow. While all these words mean "to cause to be late or behind in movement or progress," slacken suggests an easing up or relaxing of power or effort.

on hot days runners slacken their pace

Where would delay be a reasonable alternative to slacken?

Although the words delay and slacken have much in common, delay implies a holding back, usually by interference, from completion or arrival.

bad weather delayed our arrival

When is it sensible to use detain instead of slacken?

While in some cases nearly identical to slacken, detain implies a holding back beyond a reasonable or appointed time.

unexpected business had detained her

When would retard be a good substitute for slacken?

The synonyms retard and slacken are sometimes interchangeable, but retard suggests reduction of speed without actual stopping.

language barriers retarded their progress

How do slow and slacken relate to one another?

Both slow and slacken also imply a reduction of speed, slow often suggesting deliberate intention.

medication slowed the patient's heart rate

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 slacken The jokes of both the verbal and visual variety flow fast and furious, the pace never slackening throughout the feature-length running time. Frank Scheck, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019 Natalia’s seething, building jealousy is the driving force of tension in a mood piece that never slackens over 95 minutes, despite the relative lightness of its plotting. Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 18 Feb. 2025 The share blaming Bush slackened a bit but was still a very robust 68 percent as Republican Mitt Romney, a businessman promising to engineer an economic turnaround, started his attack on Obama’s record. Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 14 Feb. 2025 Then something unforeseen happened: Public adoption, government incentives, and charging-network development all slowed, so Bentley had to slacken the pace of its transition, too. Brett Berk, Robb Report, 9 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for slacken
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slacken
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
Verb
  • But Arthur's lack of limbs hasn't slowed him down, and he was adopted soon after by his loving family.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Apr. 2025
  • In the event of your vehicle hydroplaning, here's what to know: Ease off the accelerator - Step off the gas to slow down the vehicle until the tires find traction.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 26 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • And day or night travel is catered for too, courtesy of a 100-lux headlight, plus a braking tail-light integrated into the full alloy fender to the rear.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 25 Apr. 2025
  • This is used to issue steering and braking instructions to the ECU.
    Sabbir Rangwala, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Slacken.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slacken. Accessed 7 May. 2025.

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