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

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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

The market hasn’t been entirely immune to the broader slowdown. — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 26 Oct. 2026 The latest figures, released in April and based mostly on 2024 data, actually reflect a slowdown from earlier jumps. — Martie Bowser, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026 Trump had been seeking out information about the slowdown and went to Musk after Ukrainian officials reported disruptions, the source said. — Kevin Liptak, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2026 Then reports emerged that Musk was the one who suggested the slowdown tactic to Trump, who then accepted it, followed by a further report that Musk himself unilaterally ordered the restrictions. — Georgina Torbet, The Verge, 23 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for slow (down)

Recent Examples of Synonyms for slow (down)

Verb

The regime remains capable of suppressing any organized resistance in the country, but the growing disaffection of the elite threatens to weaken the state from within.

— Jieun Baek, Foreign Affairs, 30 Oct. 2026
Eisenkot's allies could also try to reverse legislation advanced by Netanyahu's government that critics say weakened Israel's democratic institutions and judicial independence.

— Itay Stern, NPR, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of weaken

Noun

But over the past year, the company has seen its share price decline by approximately a third, largely due to rising costs.

— Rob Wile, NBC news, 29 Oct. 2026
The decline was among the most noteworthy changes in polling about the November ballot, PPIC poll director Mark Baldassare told The Sacramento Bee.

— Andrew Graham October 27, Sacbee.com, 28 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

Verb

In the second, the expiry was flagged on Friday, someone caught it and the issue never disrupted employees.

— Tal Dagan, Forbes.com, 30 Oct. 2026
The program, named Operation Janus, initially uncovered three hundred and fifteen thousand instances of missing fingerprint data in immigration files, which were flagged for further investigation.

— Rozina Ali, New Yorker, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of flag

Noun

Chief Financial Officer Shiv Verma told CNBC event contracts on crypto movements did well in the quarter, offering investors another way to express a view on crypto despite the slump in prices and spot trading.

— Tanaya Macheel, CNBC, 27 Oct. 2026
There's a kernel of truth to it; Ohtani was clearly limited by several injuries down the stretch, with a lengthy slump accompanying an increase in chase rate and swing and miss.

— Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of slump

Noun

To Nothing’s credit, the case gets IPX2 ingress protection, so a drop of rain now and then shouldn’t kill it.

— Mark Knapp, PC Magazine, 24 Oct. 2026
Vaibhav steps into the India lineup in place of Ishan Kishan who has a groin injury and will bat at first drop unless India chooses to match him in an all left hand opening partnership with Abhishek Sharma.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of drop

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slow burn

slow (down)

slowdown

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Slow (down).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slow%20%28down%29. Accessed 31 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of slow (down)

verb

noun

Example Sentences

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