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 redshirt sophomore slowed up to force contact with a trailing Ewin near midcourt and later flung his body on Ewin’s screen for an offensive whistle.—
Matt Byrne,
Arkansas Online,
9 Nov. 2025
-
But on the other side, there's also, cargo is being slowed down.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Midway through the third quarter, true freshman linebacker Mason Posa, buried on the depth chart just weeks ago, ripped the ball loose at Washington’s 7-yard line and fell on it himself.—
Ira Gorawara,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Sanford jarred the ball loose as Zollers was loading up to pass, and the ball caromed to A&M’s Dalton Brooks virtually in stride behind Zollers.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The Nampa woman, Alyssa VanPaepeghem, braked, but the cars still crashed.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
22 Oct. 2025
-
But that happiness quickly took a turn when the mother quickly braked and stopped the vehicle, and sent him flying into the open area behind the driver's seat.—
Liz O'Connell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Slackened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slackened. Accessed 12 Nov. 2025.
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