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
Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 14 June 2026
Redneck points out that it's heightened the XL's front wall by 11 inches (28 cm) as compared to older Freedom models, slacking up the angle of the roof to adjust for it.
—New Atlas, 13 Apr. 2026
Not that the segment was slacking—far from it.
—Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 14 Dec. 2025
Verb
But your employee isn’t slacking, Kagan said.
—Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 14 June 2026
Redneck points out that it's heightened the XL's front wall by 11 inches (28 cm) as compared to older Freedom models, slacking up the angle of the roof to adjust for it.
—New Atlas, 13 Apr. 2026
Not that the segment was slacking—far from it.
—Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 14 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slacking
Noun
-
The researchers concluded that at least one of the keys to preventing social loafing is restoring individual responsibility within a group.—
Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez,
Fortune,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Environmental advocates say Pines demonstrates the potential consequences of loosening coal ash rules.—
Christiana Freitag,
Chicago Tribune,
13 June 2026
-
Apply around the seam, wait up to an hour, and then try loosening the bolt.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
8 June 2026
Noun
-
This stunning wicker loveseat, complete with plush, high-performance cushions, would be the ideal addition to any front porch or balcony for casual outdoor lounging.—
Maggie Horton,
PEOPLE,
12 June 2026
-
The Pocket Blanket folds down to roughly the size of a wallet but unfolds into a surprisingly spacious ground cover for picnics, lunch breaks, beach days, and campsite lounging.—
Francesca Krempa,
Travel + Leisure,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
Another factor was the slackening appeal of industrial companies, which had long absorbed the greatest number of young graduates.—
Literary Hub,
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
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
-
California, where his farm workers organizing movement began, made his birthday a legal holiday in 2000, and President Barack Obama later established it as a federal commemorative holiday.—
Steve Chapman,
Chicago Tribune,
6 May 2026
-
Louisiana is the only state where Mardi Gras is a legal holiday.—
Saman Shafiq,
USA Today,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
To minimize risks during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) advises incorporating frequent rest breaks in shaded or air-conditioned areas.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
16 June 2026
-
The Spurs’ Dylan Harper, getting plenty of rest, came in like a house afire and threatened to turn the game their way.—
John Nogowski,
Hartford Courant,
16 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Slacking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slacking. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
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