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
New Atlas, 13 Apr. 2026
Not that the segment was slacking—far from it.
—Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 14 Dec. 2025
Verb
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
-
The deal could generate tens of billions of dollars in revenue, loosening Nvidia's grip on the market in the process.—
Emma Hinchliffe,
Fortune,
27 May 2026
-
The results suggest a broad surge in support for loosening restrictions on research into substances such as psilocybin and MDMA to probe their potential for medical use.—
Jackie Flynn Mogensen,
Scientific American,
13 May 2026
Noun
-
The sun is shining, flowers are blooming, and visions of poolside lounging and weekend getaways are dancing in nearly everyone’s heads.—
AllBusiness,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2026
-
Out back a large deck contains a dining table for eight and an additional lounging area.—
Damian Fallon,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 May 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
-
Premium is the more polished option with wider seats, a deeper recline, more personal space, and small details like a fold-down phone stand and leg rest.—
Hana Al-Khodairi,
Condé Nast Traveler,
25 May 2026
-
Companies with a healthy work-life balance not only recognize this, but promote rest and breaks.—
Kate Wieczorek,
Forbes.com,
25 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Slacking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slacking. Accessed 31 May. 2026.
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