SLOW Synonyms: 503 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

slow 1 of 3

adjective

ˈslō

Definition of slow next

as in leisurely

moving or proceeding at less than the normal, desirable, or required speed because of the holiday, traffic to the beach was particularly slow slow readers

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in sleepy

lacking in gaiety, movement, or animation a slow day on Wall Street

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in boring

causing weariness, restlessness, or lack of interest the first half of the movie is slow, but then it gets exciting

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

slow

2 of 3

verb

as in to brake

to cause to move or proceed at a less rapid pace if you don't slow your delivery down a bit, your speech will be over too soon

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

slow

3 of 3

adverb

as in slowly

at a pace that is less than usual, desirable, or expected you need to go slow with this experiment, or you'll make mistakes

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

How is the word slow distinct from other similar verbs?

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

How is the word slow distinct from other similar verbs?

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

Rina is already showing off her confidence, venturing out with Suki and taking in the space, while Serasi is taking things a bit slower, easing into it and building confidence at his own pace. —

Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2026 While the company hasn’t provided details about fleet sizes, or disclosed how many vehicles operate without a safety monitor on board, the ramp-up remains slow. —

Bloomberg, Mercury News, 24 Apr. 2026

Verb

Both are heavily tied to industrial demand — especially automotive production — which tends to slow during economic downturns. —

Sharon Wu, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2026 McDavid was slowed by an apparent leg injury for much of the night. —

Jason Hills, Oc Register, 23 Apr. 2026

Adverb

Denaturalization cases are complex, slow-moving and require specialized expertise — making a wave of mass denaturalization unlikely, even as the Justice Department and the White House have publicly promoted such an effort. —

Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2026 As the murders continue, Susie and Peter and his assistant Royal Lee orbit each other until the slow-burning fuse of the mystery erupts in the final pages. —

Peter Larsen, Oc Register, 23 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for slow

Recent Examples of Synonyms for slow

Adjective

Director Gay has sculpted a staging that is faithful to a more leisurely 19th-century storytelling style, yet satisfies modern audiences’ constant craving for stimulation.

— Rob Hubbard, Twin Cities, 24 Apr. 2026
Evenings brought cocktail hours, nightly presentations about the next day’s destination, and leisurely dinners, followed by time in the lounge.

— Susan B. Barnes, Travel + Leisure, 23 Apr. 2026

Definition of leisurely

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slovens

slow

slow burn

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Style

“Slow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slow. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.

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Synonyms of slow

adjective

verb

adverb

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Phrases Containing slow

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Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on slow

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

boondoggle

Popular in Grammar & Usage

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Are You Misusing These 10 Common Words?

5 Verbal Slip Ups and Language Mistakes

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Popular in Wordplay

9 Other Words for Beautiful

Why do we park in the driveway and drive on the parkway?

Was 'nervous Nellie' a Real Person?

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

Popular

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

9 Other Words for Beautiful

Why do we park in the driveway and drive on the parkway?

Games & Quizzes