slow 1 of 3

Definition of slownext
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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

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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

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verb

slow

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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
Emily Brontë’s 1847 novel is a slow read with an out-of-time atmosphere, really one of the most virginal and repressed romance stories of all time. Anna Gaca, Pitchfork, 20 Feb. 2026 Economic data Investors were in the mood to discount the latest economic numbers showing slower growth in the final three months of 2025. Alex Harring,sean Conlon,sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 20 Feb. 2026
Verb
While some area black bears slow down and den up over the winter, some remain active year-round, searching for human food, writes the California Department of Fish and Wildlife in a blog post. Madison Dapcevich, Outside, 19 Feb. 2026 Moore also noted that investigative genetic genealogy can be slowed due to law enforcement’s limited access to DNA profiles. Emily Shapiro, ABC News, 19 Feb. 2026
Adverb
Meanwhile, many of India's development projects on the border sputter along without a deadline, often stymied by its slow-moving bureaucracy. Omkar Khandekar, NPR, 17 Feb. 2026 Traditional birria is a beef or goat stew, slow cooked with spices and chiles to give the meat lots of flavor. Amelia Lucas, CNBC, 17 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for slow
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slow
Adjective
  • In the heart of it all, the open-air Art Park is a destination in itself, ideal for leisurely walks, bike rides, or a picnic lunch on the grass.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Feb. 2026
  • Keep your eyes out for destinations that allow for leisurely boat or lounge days, unique culinary possibilities, art and design experiences, wellness programming, and nature—without a party-first atmosphere, Del Duca recommends.
    Karla Walsh, Southern Living, 17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Before, Tatum had only thought of himself as a dumb jock on the football team.
    Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Feb. 2026
  • Hustling up the twisty Route 33 in California’s Ojai Valley, the C-HR felt responsive, but the lateral pitching at speed, coupled with a 4,300-pound curb weight, discourages you from carrying a dumb pace into corners.
    Adam Ismail, The Drive, 18 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • One of those efforts, the super PAC Leading the Future, has already raised $125 million from sources including the backers of Palantir and OpenAI for the midterms — huge sums of money for races that were once often sleepy.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2026
  • Sweden has been sleepy and out to lunch.
    Chris Pronger, New York Times, 17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Endless gastronomic delights, diverse architecture, and neighborhoods packed with character ensure visitors have everything but a boring trip to the large coastal metropolis.
    Lydia Price, Travel + Leisure, 20 Feb. 2026
  • Who says neutrals have to be boring?
    Amanda Le, InStyle, 19 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • But then, with one lap to go and the white flag already out, his Open-car competitor Corey LaJoie spun out, and instead of braking and avoiding the carnage, Mears smashed his foot on the pedal and zoomed ahead of LaJoie before the caution came out.
    Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 13 Feb. 2026
  • Stanton demonstrates his battery by shorting the coils, which halts the pendulum due to the magnetic field’s braking effect.
    Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 11 Feb. 2026
Adverb
  • As the crisis drags on, life is slowly grinding to a halt across this island of nearly 10 million people.
    Patrick Oppmann, CNN Money, 18 Feb. 2026
  • Scientists believe the geology of Mars may hold valuable clues about past ancient life, and so the robotic vehicles, controlled remotely from Earth, have slowly navigated the rocky terrain to scoop up and collect intriguing samples.
    Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • But maybe Johnson isn’t stupid.
    Mark Z. Barabak, Mercury News, 18 Feb. 2026
  • Even in contemporary political and intellectual discourse, there remains an attachment to a particular stupid southern conservatism, the ideocratic confederacy.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • When the smoke cleared, Luis, Kevin, and an innocent bystander, Miguel Angel Ramirez, were all dead.
    Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 22 Feb. 2026
  • The bodies of the eight dead skiers remain on the icy mountainside because of the treacherous conditions, the sheriff’s department said.
    Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 21 Feb. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Slow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slow. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.

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