as in softening
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of slackening
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
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
Verb
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Other changes to the policy include loosening a ban on donations of taxpayer money to nonprofits; an amendment passed by Council Member Krista Laine allows transfers to organizations of less than $50.—
Alex Driggars,
Austin American Statesman,
23 Jan. 2026
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But loosening the protections of the linear no-threshold (LNT) model is not supported by current research.—
Katy Huff,
Scientific American,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In its Facebook post, the CHP urged drivers to take precautions during foggy weather by slowing down and remaining alert.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
1 Feb. 2026
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Between endless rewatches and iconic memes, the cultural obsession shows no sign of slowing down.—
Lincee Ray,
Entertainment Weekly,
1 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The warrior is both strong and yielding, capable of decisive action and deliberate restraint.—
Richard P. Weigand,
Rolling Stone,
30 Jan. 2026
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When interest rates rise, the cost of holding non-yielding assets such as Bitcoin increases.—
Jason Phillips,
Ascend Agency,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Modern high-speed trains use multiple braking systems.—
Ben Jones,
CNN Money,
26 Jan. 2026
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The advice, which calls for gently tapping on the brakes to slow down, only applies to older and certain newer vehicles not equipped with an anti-lock braking system (ABS).—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
22 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Slackening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slackening. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.
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