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

When things get chaotic and effects fill the screen in the later stages, there can be some slowdown, but nothing has been showstopping for me. — ArsTechnica, 31 July 2026 That slowdown could deepen if iPhone sales take a hit from a price increase that many analysts expect during the launch of the new lineup, which typically happens in September. — Aditya Soni, USA Today, 31 July 2026 The weight loss drug boom is beginning to show signs of a slowdown as employers and insurers pull back on coverage, signaling the market could be entering a more restrained phase after years of breakneck expansion, Bloomberg News says. — Ed Silverman, STAT, 31 July 2026 The prospect of a rate increase poses the risk of a slowdown in economic activity over the coming months as corporations face the prospect of higher borrowing costs. — Max Zahn, ABC News, 30 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for slow (down)

Recent Examples of Synonyms for slow (down)

Verb

However, consuming large amounts—such as those used in studies where up to 1/2 cup was consumed daily—can start to weaken and damage tooth enamel.

— MD Published, Verywell Health, 10 Aug. 2026
Apple’s market dominance is built around September; moving away from tradition would upset the ecosystem supporting the launch and risk weakening the iPhone’s dominant position.

— Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of weaken

Noun

This decline could affect the annual value of his next contract.

— Bernie Pleskoff, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2026
Overall, patients who took estrogen-only hormone therapy for menopause were less likely to display signs of memory loss or cognitive decline or to be diagnosed with dementia.

— Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of decline

Verb

Surf-rock riffs, punctuated with pockets of silence, eventually slacken in tempo for a glorious, slo-mo finish.

— Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 30 July 2026
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

Definition of slacken

Noun

During the test drive, Lawgalet experienced the deceleration caused from regenerative braking, panicked and decided to return to the dealership after being surprised by the sensation.

— Charles Singh, USA Today, 3 Aug. 2026
Murphy, an instrumentation engineer, had designed electronic strain gauge sensors that could accurately measure the amount of G-force applied during deceleration.

— Laura Payne, Encyclopedia Britannica, 10 July 2026

Definition of deceleration

Verb

And this is one of those things that flags my lack of comprehension of most things happening in my midst.

— John Ramos, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026
The system may flag the risk quickly, while the response still stalls because procurement, finance, operations and logistics have not agreed on who owns the decision, what thresholds matter or when to escalate.

— Robert Kramer, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of flag

Noun

Howard shook off a shooting slump to pour in a game-high 23 points on 5-of-9 shooting from three.

— Christopher Harris, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026
The slump came after the company announced that Jeff Dean, its chief scientist, was departing the company, re-igniting worries about the loss of top talent.

— Natasha Abellard, CNBC, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of slump

Noun

The goal is of course, to get more long-term LA Metro riders, but also by reducing cars on the road, traffic flow improves and vehicle emissions drop, said LA Metro.

— Steve Scauzillo, Daily News, 7 Aug. 2026
Nonfarm payrolls unexpectedly declined in July, falling by 23,000 amid a drop of 53,000 government jobs.

— Oliver Renick, CNBC, 7 Aug. 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 13 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of slow (down)

verb

noun

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