slack 1 of 3

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slack

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noun

1
as in latitude
an allowable margin of freedom or variation our boss doesn't cut us any slack when it comes to being back from lunch on time

Synonyms & Similar Words

2
as in slackness
the extent to which something hangs or dips below a straight line take up the slack of a rope

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3

slack

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verb

as in to loosen
to make less taut the skipper ordered the crew to slack off the sheets on the mainsail

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word slack different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of slack are lax, neglectful, negligent, and remiss. While all these words mean "culpably careless or indicative of such carelessness," slack implies want of due or necessary diligence or care.

slack workmanship

When might lax be a better fit than slack?

While in some cases nearly identical to slack, lax implies a blameworthy lack of strictness, severity, or precision.

a reporter lax about accurate quotation

When could neglectful be used to replace slack?

The words neglectful and slack can be used in similar contexts, but neglectful adds a more disapproving implication of laziness or deliberate inattention.

a society callously neglectful of the poor

In what contexts can negligent take the place of slack?

While the synonyms negligent and slack are close in meaning, negligent implies inattention to one's duty or business.

negligent about writing a note of thanks

When is it sensible to use remiss instead of slack?

The synonyms remiss and slack are sometimes interchangeable, but remiss implies blameworthy carelessness shown in slackness, forgetfulness, or neglect.

had been remiss in their familial duties

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 slack
Adjective
Descending is still important, especially in modern cross country, so XC bikes often have dropper posts and slack head angles, but the geometry is still less confidence-inspiring than trail bikes. Seb Stott, Outside Online, 27 Jan. 2025 If the rules are too slack, people take advantage of them. Dave Altimari, Hartford Courant, 8 Jan. 2025
Noun
Ukraine Looks to Europe for Arms European countries don't have the production levels, military stockpiles or technology to pick up all the slack left by the U.S.'s pause, but Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is recruiting their help for ambitious joint investment projects. Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 July 2025 Starters haven’t pitched deep consistently all season, and with the way the injury bug has hit the rotation, the Mets have needed relievers to pick up the slack. Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 30 June 2025
Verb
Whether progress endures will depend on whether state policymakers resist the urge to slack on debt reduction at the first sign of improvement. Andrew Fowler, Hartford Courant, 8 May 2025 Munn, 44, caught both slack and praise from social media followers after sharing a series of photos of her 3-year-old son, Malcolm, walking down the street in New York City without shoes. Tracy Wright, FOXNews.com, 28 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for slack
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slack
Adjective
  • By the end of the summer, there will be another pool with a zero-entry layout, lazy river, and seven private cabanas.
    Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 11 July 2025
  • And perhaps that is lazy script writing from the football gods.
    Megan Feringa, New York Times, 10 July 2025
Adjective
  • Bill Smith, founder and CEO of grantee Inseparable, said flexible funding allows nonprofits to adapt to a volatile policy climate.
    Hayley Cuccinello, CNBC, 11 July 2025
  • This variety pack of bandages covers every kind of small injury—a total of 280 sheer and clear flexible adhesive bandages in five different sizes and shapes, for small wounds, burns, or even shoe chafing.
    Alesandra Dubin, Travel + Leisure, 11 July 2025
Noun
  • In that case, which stemmed from President Trump's attempt to end birthright citizenship, the Supreme Court limited the use of universal injunctions in cases with individuals as plaintiffs, but gave lower courts more latitude in cases brought by states.
    Alexander Tin, CBS News, 1 July 2025
  • The times and dates given apply to mid-northern latitudes.
    Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
Verb
  • The fine dining restaurant, La Finca, holds a Michelin star, even as veteran chef Fernando Arjona and his team have loosened things up, moving away from a long tasting menu toward a relaxed a la carte approach.
    Ann Abel, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025
  • Run a knife around edges of baking dish to loosen the egg mixture; cut into 12 even portions (about 2 1/2 x 3 inches each).
    Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 8 July 2025
Adjective
  • The problem isn’t that general providers are careless, but that their systems and staff simply aren’t built for these edge cases.
    Ari Raptis, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025
  • When businesses are careless and people get hurt, those businesses should be held accountable.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 3 June 2025
Adjective
  • Their light and fresh tones evoke thoughts of sunny days and relaxed, vacation-ready style.
    René Chávez Esparza, Glamour, 13 July 2025
  • This loose-fitting garment, made from 100 percent cotton, not only allows air to pass through the material, but also in and out of the relaxed neck, armholes, and hem.
    Danielle Calma, Travel + Leisure, 13 July 2025
Adjective
  • The left-hander began the ninth with a groundout, but after Ketel Marte homered and Geraldo Perdomo drew a nine-pitch walk, Spencer Bivens and Erik Miller began to get loose.
    Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 4 July 2025
  • Make sure to set your face with a pressed or loose setting powder, and then continue with the rest of your eye makeup.
    Catharine Malzahn, Glamour, 3 July 2025
Noun
  • According to Redfin, Dilworth is home to sprawling green spaces, eclectic dining options and numerous walking trails.
    Nora O’Neill July 7, Charlotte Observer, 7 July 2025
  • Sean is going to show you one of the biggest companies in the space.
    Josh Brown,Sean Russo, CNBC, 7 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Slack.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slack. Accessed 16 Jul. 2025.

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