as in loosened
not tightly fastened, tied, or stretched
slackened lines
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in relaxed
to make less taut
you'll need to slacken the rope a bit to get it free of that post
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in slowed
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of slackened
Jenna Thompson, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2025
The potential for sharp, disputatious cultural criticism has arguably slackened.
—David Remnick, New Yorker, 2 Sep. 2025
Verb
And while Braum’s has recently slackened its former rule of not venturing 300 miles from the farm (that number is now 330 miles), Beuchaw says the company does not plan to inch out any further.
—Jenna Thompson, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2025
The potential for sharp, disputatious cultural criticism has arguably slackened.
—David Remnick, New Yorker, 2 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slackened
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
Verb
-
The Subaru then slowed to a stop due to traffic and was rear-ended by the Nissan, which was hit by a big rig towing a trailer filled with cardboard, causing the big rig to overturn, officers said.—
Brandon Downs,
CBS News,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Moncada missed time last season with a thumb sprain suffered in spring training, and then a knee injured that slowed him throughout the season’s final four months.—
Jeff Fletcher,
Oc Register,
22 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Like the neighborhood kids playing at the community pool, also from his 1975 series, a stop-you-in-your-tracks, sincere, insightful, nostalgic slice of life from before kids were on their devices all day, kids turned loose by parents to have fun and make friends IRL.—
Chadd Scott,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
-
No one has to urge him to dive for a loose ball, either.—
Joe Davidson,
Sacbee.com,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Under the lights of Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, a car shot down the straight at 185 mph (295 km/h) and braked into Turn 1 with surgical precision.—
Kapil Kajal,
Interesting Engineering,
21 Nov. 2025
-
The Nampa woman, Alyssa VanPaepeghem, braked, but the cars still crashed.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
22 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Slackened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slackened. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.
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