slowdown 1 of 2

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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

slow (down)

2 of 2

verb

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)
Verb
In the first half of the year, Austin’s housing market continued its gradual slowdown, giving some potential good news for would-be buyers who have been facing one of the tightest markets in the country. Maryam Ahmed, Austin American Statesman, 15 July 2025 But the content spending slowdown from major legacy studios in Hollywood has hit the state as well. Erik Hayden, HollywoodReporter, 14 July 2025 In the skin cells of the wild-type mice, within six hours of UV exposure, ZAK kicked off a series of cellular reactions in response to ribosomal slowdowns and collisions. Dan Samorodnitsky, Quanta Magazine, 14 July 2025 Some analysts believe high capital gains taxes may be contributing to a housing market slowdown. Catherine Reagor, AZCentral.com, 10 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for slow (down)
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slow (down)
Noun
  • Policy journals brim with articles about American decline and the advent of multipolarity.
    Hal Brands, Twin Cities, 13 July 2025
  • The condition leads to a decline in the ability to independently function, think and reason.
    George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 July 2025
Verb
  • This weakens their ability to educate, create, and grow.
    Miguel Cardona, Time, 21 July 2025
  • This could help verify recent findings from the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) that suggest this strange force is actually weakening over time.
    Robert Lea, Space.com, 20 July 2025
Noun
  • But the longest slump of his career just keeps getting longer.
    Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 13 July 2025
  • Afp | Getty Images OSLO, Norway — Tesla continues to find solace in Norway, defying a sustained European slump amid a backlash over CEO Elon Musk’s incendiary political rhetoric.
    Sam Meredith, CNBC, 11 July 2025
Verb
  • While downtown foot traffic in the era of remote work has slackened, Rice Park remains a popular draw for downtown residents and visitors, and groups like the Rice Park Association and the St. Paul Garden Club provide advocacy, funding, park upkeep and eyeballs.
    Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 8 June 2025
  • The tension between the Mercury’s ideas about commitment and its transgressive style had slackened.
    Merve Emre, New Yorker, 16 June 2025
Noun
  • The same day, discounts and coupons offered on Meituan had seen prices of a cup of coffee drop to as low as 2 yuan ($0.28), according to local media.
    Dylan Butts,Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 11 July 2025
  • The drop was even starker among Republicans, with that change from 88 to 48 percent — nearly cut in half — in the space of a year.
    Dan Gooding, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 July 2025
Verb
  • Tracy Edwards, one of Dahmer’s potential victims, managed to escape and flag down Rauth and Mueller, taking the officers to Dahmer’s apartment.
    Lorenzino Estrada, AZCentral.com, 23 July 2025
  • Bonds and Handley suspect their project's aim — to map racially restrictive housing covenants across Milwaukee County — led it to be flagged within the federal agency.
    Kelly Meyerhofer, jsonline.com, 22 July 2025
Noun
  • The degree of retardation is usually mild, but can be moderate to severe.
    Mark Cohen, Discover Magazine, 4 Apr. 2012
  • The criteria were: episodes that last no longer than 2 months, and that do not include suicidal feelings, psychotic symptoms, psychomotor retardation, or feelings of worthlessness.
    Neuroskeptic, Discover Magazine, 15 Mar. 2013
Verb
  • The leads have tapered off, but he’s promised the family that detectives won’t stop search searching until he’s found.
    Faith Karimi, CNN Money, 7 July 2025
  • Participants ideally begin chipping in their own money at the three-month mark, and the support gradually tapers off over two years.
    Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 July 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Slow (down).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slow%20%28down%29. Accessed 26 Jul. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!