slow 1 of 3

1
2
as in dumb
not having or showing an ability to absorb ideas readily we love our bulldog though he's a little slower than our German shepherd

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3
4
as in boring
causing weariness, restlessness, or lack of interest the first half of the movie is slow, but then it gets exciting

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

slow

2 of 3

verb

slow

3 of 3

adverb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word slow distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of slow are delay, detain, retard, and slacken. While all these words mean "to cause to be late or behind in movement or progress," slow and slacken also imply a reduction of speed, slow often suggesting deliberate intention.

medication slowed the patient's heart rate

In what contexts can delay take the place of slow?

In some situations, the words delay and slow are roughly equivalent. However, delay implies a holding back, usually by interference, from completion or arrival.

bad weather delayed our arrival

When would detain be a good substitute for slow?

The meanings of detain and slow largely overlap; however, detain implies a holding back beyond a reasonable or appointed time.

unexpected business had detained her

Where would retard be a reasonable alternative to slow?

While in some cases nearly identical to slow, retard suggests reduction of speed without actual stopping.

language barriers retarded their progress

When can slacken be used instead of slow?

The synonyms slacken and slow are sometimes interchangeable, but slacken suggests an easing up or relaxing of power or effort.

on hot days runners slacken their pace

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 slow
Adjective
Forecasters at the National Weather Service said there was the potential for additional catastrophic flooding and heavy rainfall in the region throughout Saturday, given the storm’s slow craw across the state. Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 5 July 2025 Even though we've all been told gray is on its way out for quite some time, it's been a slow burn. Tessa Cooper, Southern Living, 5 July 2025
Verb
These may include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to address pain and inflammation, disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) to slow the progression, and biologics that affect your immune system. Sherri Gordon, Health, 19 July 2025 Freezing preserves the flavor of the syrup, and also slows the rate of spoilage. Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 19 July 2025
Adverb
For practical dating advice: Start slow and be kind to yourself. Anna Pulley, Chicago Tribune, 17 June 2025 The only thing that moved slower than the Lakers was the clock. Dan Woike, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for slow
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slow
Adjective
  • For those not at Borgo Santo Pietro during the pop-up, a visit to the hotel’s trattoria to order from the Fermenting Garden menu should do the trick, or even a leisurely tour of the vegetable garden itself.
    Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 9 July 2025
  • Travelers can bike at port stops or opt for leisurely museum visits.
    Jeff Fromm, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025
Adjective
  • Ratajkowski has been fighting the stereotype of the dumb model from the beginning of her career.
    Daniel Jackson, Allure, 18 July 2017
  • Ninety nine percent of all NFL players are explicitly not dumb.
    Andy Benoit, The MMQB, 10 July 2017
Adjective
  • Usyk and Dubois have some work to do to save a pretty sleepy event in London.
    Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 19 July 2025
  • At the time, Positano was still a sleepy fishing village.
    Elise Taylor, Vogue, 9 July 2025
Adjective
  • Hunter: The Reckoning puts players in the role of regular people who know monsters are real and can’t go back to their old, boring lives.
    Rob Wieland, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025
  • The real world is monochromatic, straightforward, boring.
    Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 19 July 2025
Verb
  • Turn signaling and hazard lights have been added to the headlight/braking tail-light recipe, and riders now get to check metrics on a detachable 3.5-inch color display instead of monochrome.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 12 July 2025
  • Another video showed the same vehicle braking hard after passing a police car.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 6 July 2025
Adverb
  • Jonathan Erdman, a senior meteorologist at weather.com, wrote that the heat wave may last until at least the last weekend of July in the Plains and South, while slowly expanding west toward the Rockies.
    John Bacon, USA Today, 22 July 2025
  • This growing divide between women’s needs and workplace support reflects a deeper issue: the cultural silence surrounding menopause is starting to crack—but only slowly.
    Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 22 July 2025
Adjective
  • And some stupid Republicans, and foolish Republicans, fall into the net.
    ABC News, ABC News, 20 July 2025
  • The film ends with Lady Susan setting herself up in a kind of throuple, although one member of the ménage is too stupid to be so informed.
    Tom Gliatto, People.com, 19 July 2025
Adjective
  • Since the assassination attempt on Trump that left the 50-year-old father dead, the Comperatore family has grappled with lingering and unanswered questions about what led to Comperatore’s death that day.
    Audrey Conklin, FOXNews.com, 12 July 2025
  • Jackson reportedly last checked in with dispatch on June 7 and was eventually found dead by rangers eight days later on June 15 in a camping tent on the Duck Hole trail, which is located in the Adirondack High Peaks, according to the Adirondack Explorer.
    Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 12 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Slow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slow. Accessed 27 Jul. 2025.

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