as in loosening
to make less taut
the skipper ordered the crew to slack off the sheets on the mainsail
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of slacking
Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 14 Dec. 2025
Verb
Not that the segment was slacking—far from it.
—Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 14 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slacking
Verb
-
This basically turns it into a small T-style driver that provides extra leverage for loosening screws or jammed fasteners.—
Maryna Holovnova,
New Atlas,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Gražinytė-Tyla led the Philharmonic premiere of his Fifth Symphony, written in 1961 as the tyranny was loosening just enough to make way for the score’s wild emotional topography.—
Justin Davidson,
Vulture,
3 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Made from entirely high-quality foam, this may be more decorative than a comfortable couch for lounging, but most certainly gives your guests a stylish place to sit for cocktail hour.—
Julia Harrison,
Architectural Digest,
3 Mar. 2026
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Travelers want sleepwear that looks and feels put-together for both sleeping and lounging, which is where the Ekouaer Long-sleeve Ribbed Pajama Set comes in at 45 percent off.—
Julia Morlino,
Travel + Leisure,
22 Feb. 2026
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
Noun
-
There is no penalty associated with unattended idling in state statute, however, individual municipalities have ordinances in place with fines for the action.—
Anna Kleiber,
jsonline.com,
18 Nov. 2025
Noun
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President Grant Day doesn’t need to be an official or legal holiday where Illinois state employees get the day off, like Lincoln’s Birthday.—
Charles Selle,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Feb. 2026
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Louisiana is the only state where Mardi Gras is a legal holiday.—
Saman Shafiq,
USA Today,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
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For a safer outdoor work environment, follow the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)'s guidance by scheduling regular rest breaks in shaded or air-conditioned places.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
10 Mar. 2026
-
As Sleep Awareness Week (March 8–14) shines a spotlight on the importance of rest, many families are realizing just how hard quality sleep can be to come by.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
10 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Slacking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slacking. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
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