slow 1 of 3

Definition of slownext
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
Three centuries of slow evolution have left enough genetic variation to read the virus’s history, but not so much that the signal is overwritten. John Drake, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026 Steam rises in slow curls from a shaping stand while local kids climb onto high-top chairs and a Coors Light is passed between old friends across the counter. Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 July 2026
Verb
The likely rationale, Talley said, was to let a president act decisively in a crisis without conflict-of-interest reviews slowing him down. Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 3 July 2026 The president, with America’s 250th celebration, has an opportunity to reshape the city of Washington without the kind of roadblocks that have at times slowed his national efforts. Shelby Talcott, semafor.com, 3 July 2026
Adverb
For this very reason, Forme recommends starting slow — wearing its Power Bra only several hours a day to begin and then incorporating it into your routine on a more consistent basis, for longer stretches of time. Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 25 June 2026 Shim and O’Farrill build the tension through an exchange of solos that tug the tempo quicker here, slower there. Rae-Aila Crumble, Pitchfork, 25 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for slow
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slow
Adjective
  • Mondays have $5 martinis, mules and margaritas, Fridays and Saturdays are for boogying upstairs and the patio at Metro is an any-day spot for a leisurely drink or three.
    Scott Hocker, TheWeek, 30 June 2026
  • That was when the lensman captured the social set at their leisurely and often strikingly dressed best.
    Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 26 June 2026
Adjective
  • Not all blondes are dumb, don’t judge a book by its cover, yada yada yada, lo and behold, Reese Witherspoon is a certified movie star.
    Ben Travers, IndieWire, 29 June 2026
  • Though Cady has made some gestures toward helping the Bowdens, like his behind-the-scenes effort to get one of Anna’s death-row clients exonerated last week, Tom and Anna should not be so dumb as to ignore his ulterior motives.
    Scott Tobias, Vulture, 26 June 2026
Adjective
  • Unlike much of the group stage, Sunday’s game was a sloppy, sleepy affair, with South Africa relying on some heroic play from its back line to keep the game even.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 28 June 2026
  • The phone achieved download speeds of 463Mbps and upload speeds of 39Mbps in 5G testing in sleepy suburban areas.
    Florence Ion, PC Magazine, 27 June 2026
Adjective
  • Far fewer people stay responsible when the work turns boring, unclear or inconvenient, and that's precisely when ownership surfaces.
    Somdutta Singh, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
  • Monocultures can be boring, but on the flipside, a huge collection of individual species looks like a busy bowl of potpourri.
    Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 June 2026
Verb
  • Drivers need to brake firmly and stay in the lane instead of swerving.
    Brian Sherrod, CBS News, 22 June 2026
  • The braking system follows the same philosophy, with a dual-piston floating caliper and disc up front, and a 220-mm rear disc paired with a single-piston caliper.
    Utkarsh Sood June 20, New Atlas, 20 June 2026
Adverb
  • Bell’s letter to James and New York MFCU Director Amy Held argues that the unit is moving too slowly on cases and amassing too few indictments and convictions for wrongdoing in the Medicaid system.
    Ali Swenson, Fortune, 2 July 2026
  • Manganese atoms slowly take the place of some iron, creating a uniform LMFP structure.
    Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 2 July 2026
Adjective
  • Many competitors often report feeling sluggish, sleepy, or uncomfortable afterward.
    Jennifer Borresen, USA Today, 3 July 2026
  • Merz’s coalition of center-right and center-left parties took office just over a year ago with pledges to reform and turn around Germany’s sluggish economy, Europe’s biggest.
    ABC News, ABC News, 2 July 2026
Adjective
  • And no, that was NOT OutKick or FOX who wrote that stupid headline.
    Zach Dean OutKick, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026
  • The thing about House of the Dragon is that everything really is quite stupid.
    Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 29 June 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Slow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slow. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on slow

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster