as in softening
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Dissimilar Words
1
as in loosening
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 slowing
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 slackening
Literary Hub,
15 May 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
There was still a risk of more flash flooding and mudslides Friday despite slackening rain around Los Angeles, the National Weather Service warned.
—
Ty Oneil,
Arkansas Online,
27 Dec. 2025
Verb
Another factor was the slackening appeal of industrial companies, which had long absorbed the greatest number of young graduates.
—
Literary Hub,
15 May 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
There was still a risk of more flash flooding and mudslides Friday despite slackening rain around Los Angeles, the National Weather Service warned.
—
Ty Oneil,
Arkansas Online,
27 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slackening
Adjective
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An unexpectedly hawkish Fed meeting chaired by Kevin Warsh last week boosted expectations for a year-end interest rate hike, further pressuring gold prices, as the prospect of higher interest rates tend to weigh on the non-yielding precious metal.
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Interest rates remain relatively high, and real yields have risen in recent years, giving investors an attractive alternative to non-yielding assets like silver.
Verb
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Matching trousers stayed narrow through the hips before loosening down the leg into a slight flare.
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The Supreme Court on Tuesday sided with congressional Republicans in further loosening campaign finance limits, a decision likely to upend how political parties funnel millions of dollars into TV ads in the upcoming midterm elections.
Verb
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Encouragingly, the year-over-year increase rate is slowing, potentially reflecting improved infection control post-pandemic.
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Companies need to move more goods without slowing down at the dock.
Verb
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The system uses a three-level braking architecture that combines retarder braking, electric braking, and mechanical braking to improve safety during operation under demanding mining conditions.
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If modern vehicles are so reliant on software for everything from displaying driving speeds to braking in some models, free OTA software updates could save drivers the hassle of bringing their cars into an authorized dealer for repairs.
Cite this Entry
“Slackening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slackening. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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