SLOW (DOWN) Synonyms: 68 Similar and Opposite Words

slow (down) 1 of 2

verb

Definition of slow (down)

as in to die (down)

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slowdown

2 of 2

noun

ˈslō-ˌdau̇n

as in decline

a usually gradual decrease in the pace or level of activity of something disease experts are encouraged by the recent slowdown in the spread of the virus

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 (down)

Noun

While no single shift can fully explain this slowdown, rising housing costs in the state may be a culprit. — Karin Brewster, The Conversation, 8 July 2026 Their net appetite jumped 7 percentage points as of June 2026 versus a year earlier, signaling a slowdown of the decline seen in recent years. — Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 7 July 2026 Monday's action followed last week's June jobs report, which pointed to a slowdown in hiring from the prior month. — Alexa Lomonaco, CNBC, 6 July 2026 Any slowdown in capital expenditures by hyperscalers could reshape the chip market. — Jason Ma, Fortune, 5 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for slow (down)

Recent Examples of Synonyms for slow (down)

Verb

The flow of dark traffic is one of the factors that helped explain why oil markets had weakened significantly by early June, together with a surge in exports from the US and pullback in buying by China.

— Weilun Soon, Fortune, 5 July 2026
But as several surveys have consistently indicated, optimism about our country's outlook has undeniably weakened.

— Robert Hormats, Time, 4 July 2026

Definition of weaken

Noun

The stock had logged its steepest one-day decline on Monday, as investors locked in profits amid growing worries over AI spending.

— Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 16 July 2026
After months of decline, gas prices across the country are steadily increasing after the fragile ceasefire between Iran and the United States broke down last week.

— Mirtha Donastorg, AJC.com, 15 July 2026

Definition of decline

Verb

Following 2023’s Emotional Contracts, where producer Dave Fridmann injected a harder, radio-ready punch, Coin-O-Matic’s mellower Americana sound reflects a band at ease with itself, even when the tempos slacken and the organ gets buried in the mix.

— Arman Khan, Pitchfork, 19 June 2026
Friday night weather The ferociously high winds that moved through the region Thursday have since slackened, but breezy conditions will linger through the weekend.

— Matthew Villafane, CBS News, 19 June 2026

Definition of slacken

Noun

Match analysis from professional football also suggests around a quarter fewer explosive accelerations and decelerations at altitude than at sea level.

— Alan McCall, New York Times, 1 July 2026
Hamstring strains often occur during sprinting or rapid deceleration, while groin strains are linked to cutting movements and powerful inside-foot kicks.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 15 June 2026

Definition of deceleration

Verb

Soon after his arrest, both Canary Mission and Betar boasted of their role in flagging Khalil’s noncitizen status to the government.

— Jake Offenhartz, Fortune, 15 July 2026
In 161 instances, according to the report, a plate that the system flagged as being stolen turned out to be wrong — although not every one of those cases led to a police intervention.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 15 July 2026

Definition of flag

Noun

Not bad considering his fight to find feel after missing most of last year with injuries and enduring a five-start slump from the end of May through the middle of June.

— Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 July 2026
Gains in shares of chipmakers helped global markets bounce back from a slump at the start of the US-Israeli war with Iran this year.

— John Towfighi, CNN Money, 9 July 2026

Definition of slump

Noun

Changes over the seven days ranged from a drop of 5% to an increase of 2%.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 11 July 2026
Another investigator testified that the distance from the apparent sniper's perch to the tent where Kirk was speaking was about 410 feet, with a 68-foot vertical drop.

— N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 10 July 2026

Definition of drop

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slow burn

slow (down)

slowdown

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Style

“Slow (down).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slow%20%28down%29. Accessed 16 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of slow (down)

verb

noun

Example Sentences

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