SLACKEN Synonyms: 72 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

slacken

verb

ˈsla-kən

Definition of slacken next

as in to loosen

to make less taut you'll need to slacken the rope a bit to get it free of that post

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to slow

to cause to move or proceed at a less rapid pace drivers need to slacken their speed as they approach the sharp curve

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Winds will slacken some Thursday in Southern California, but conditions will remain breezy in Northern California. —

Anthony Edwards, San Francisco Chronicle, 4 Mar. 2026 The year before, the e-commerce platform eliminated 500 jobs, or about 4 percent of its personnel, after online spending slackened post-pandemic. —

Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 27 Feb. 2026 As data disappears and health recommendations slacken, independent groups are rallying together to fill the public health data and leadership void. —

Lauren J. Young, Scientific American, 3 Feb. 2026 Hammers tapped slackening fibers and instead of the pleasant overtones of a major scale, a nauseating cacophony swelled from the instrument’s wooden belly. —

Sasha Geffen, Pitchfork, 21 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for slacken

Recent Examples of Synonyms for slacken

Verb

In another gun rights case, the justices may loosen a federal law aimed at keeping firearms out of the hands of dangerous or irresponsible people.

— Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 13 May 2026
The results suggest a broad surge in support for loosening restrictions on research into substances such as psilocybin and MDMA to probe their potential for medical use.

— Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 13 May 2026