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

An emergency program was followed by an initial slowdown in new cases after almost 20 million children received vaccinations in April and May. — Reuters, NBC news, 19 Oct. 2026 Reiffers sees the current luxury slowdown as an opportunity for companies to rethink their strategies, diversify and invest in talent. — Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 19 Oct. 2026 An emergency program was followed by an initial slowdown in new cases after almost 20 million children received a vaccination in April and May. — Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026 Reuters reported last week that the White House ordered the technology restrictions, but Trump has denied responsibility for the slowdown. — Garrett Downs, CNBC, 18 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for slow (down)

Recent Examples of Synonyms for slow (down)

Verb

Conditions were expected to improve Saturday afternoon as winds weakened, with fair and dry weather forecast for the remainder of the weekend.

— Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2026
As trust in America weakens further, other wealthy nations will make the same calculation.

— Fareed Zakaria, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of weaken

Noun

Among the relics of its decline is a hulking complex of rusted pipes, towers and conveyor belts in Delano, just five miles north of the McFarland chipping yard.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026
The stock was down -7% in premarket trading Wednesday, to under $64/share, a decline of nearly 30% year-to-date to the lowest point since August 2024.

— Todd Spangler, Variety, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of decline

Verb

His power slackened in 2025 before a slight resurgence this season.

— Andy McCullough, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
During an El Niño, those winds slacken, and the warm water slides eastward, leading to waters becoming generally one to two degrees Celsius above normal in the area around the Galápagos.

— Andrea Thompson, Scientific American, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of slacken

Noun

These include gravitational forces, commonly known as G-forces, that increase or decrease the pressure riders feel on their bodies during rapid acceleration and deceleration.

— Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2026
There's also the worry that there will soon be a deceleration in the artificial intelligence spending cycle, which is going to shape what parts of the market do better and worse.

— Sarah Min, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of deceleration

Verb

The researchers also flagged concerns about lengthy data-retention periods, the handling of children’s data, and a lack of transparency in companies’ privacy policies.

— Fernanda Tronco, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
More comparisons show up in an Allrecipes roundup of Aldi copycats, which flags Clancy’s Original Potato Chips as an alternative to Lay’s and Choceur Peanut Butter Cups as a stand-in for Reese’s.

— Ashley Lynch, Charlotte Observer, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of flag

Noun

In an email, general manager and head brewer David Bulcock told The Star that their original location, which opened in 2019, saw a slump in foot traffic and bookings for their event space located in the back of the brewery and roastery.

— Katelyn Umholtz, Kansas City Star, 20 Oct. 2026
Meanwhile, other pockets of the economy remain weak, weighed down by feeble consumption and a multiyear property slump.

— Anniek Bao, CNBC, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of slump

Noun

With stimulus checks gone and student loan payments back, Maggiulli suggests the drop may partly be a return to normal.

— Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026
For instance, the company launched its bronzing drops because community members asked for them on a TikTok live, and created a pickle lip balm because pickles were a huge trend on social media.

— Colleen McKown, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of drop

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slow burn

slow (down)

slowdown

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“Slow (down).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slow%20%28down%29. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of slow (down)

verb

noun

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