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

If inflation is outpacing nominal interest rates, the real return on bonds and other income-producing assets declines or even becomes negative.

— Faith Wakefield, USA Today, 8 July 2026
This decline has pinched profit margins in the 401(k) world, said Kai Richter, an attorney with Cohen Milstein who has long specialized in ERISA class-action cases.

— Paul Kiel, ProPublica, 8 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

Kalshi, the biggest prediction market company, is hoping to bar political staffers from trading on their own races with a new system that flags possible violations.

— Luke Garrett, NPR, 9 July 2026
Flock’s overreach is already so vast that, in Feder’s case, he was warned to drive straight home and not cross into the neighboring towns — where their own Flock cameras would wrongly flag his car and sic the cops on him, too.

— Frank Landymore, Futurism, 9 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

The patriotic ball drop is scheduled to air at midnight ET on CNN as July 3 turns into July 4 in Times Square.

— Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 4 July 2026
Tesla’s results – which came in above expectations – indicate the company may be recovering after two straight years of annual sales drops and the removal EV tax credits in the US, which has lowered the incentive for prospective American buyers.

— Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 3 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 10 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of slow (down)

verb

noun

Example Sentences

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