as in brakes
to cause to move or proceed at a less rapid pace
if you don't slow your delivery down a bit, your speech will be over too soon
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Recent Examples of slows
The last act really slows the action to make time — lots of it — for vocal declarations and ruminations.
—
Scott Cantrell, Dallas Morning News, 28 Feb. 2026
Being stoned slows down reaction time and puts them and other drivers at risk.
—Abigail Van Buren, Boston Herald, 28 Feb. 2026
The American Diabetes Association sets a target A1C of less than 7 percent for most nonpregnant adults — meeting this benchmark substantially slows, and may completely prevent, the development of diabetes complications.
—Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 27 Feb. 2026
Growth slows as the weather cools, so fall is another good time to divide hostas.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 26 Feb. 2026
Soluble fiber dissolves in your gut, forming a gel-like substance that slows digestion.
—Jillian Kubala, Health, 26 Feb. 2026
Once humidity drops below 50 percent, reproduction slows.
—Larry Magid, Mercury News, 26 Feb. 2026
Crew members say compression socks work wonders on any flight longer than four hours, when legs can start to cramp up or circulation slows.
—Kristy Alpert, Travel + Leisure, 25 Feb. 2026
Official statistics show cucumber prices have doubled since December, while some shops are reported to be selling them at an even greater mark-up – wartime prices for a salad staple, as the Russian economy slows.
—Matthew Chance, CNN Money, 21 Feb. 2026
Scott Cantrell, Dallas Morning News, 28 Feb. 2026
Being stoned slows down reaction time and puts them and other drivers at risk.
—Abigail Van Buren, Boston Herald, 28 Feb. 2026
The American Diabetes Association sets a target A1C of less than 7 percent for most nonpregnant adults — meeting this benchmark substantially slows, and may completely prevent, the development of diabetes complications.
—Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 27 Feb. 2026
Growth slows as the weather cools, so fall is another good time to divide hostas.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 26 Feb. 2026
Soluble fiber dissolves in your gut, forming a gel-like substance that slows digestion.
—Jillian Kubala, Health, 26 Feb. 2026
Once humidity drops below 50 percent, reproduction slows.
—Larry Magid, Mercury News, 26 Feb. 2026
Crew members say compression socks work wonders on any flight longer than four hours, when legs can start to cramp up or circulation slows.
—Kristy Alpert, Travel + Leisure, 25 Feb. 2026
Official statistics show cucumber prices have doubled since December, while some shops are reported to be selling them at an even greater mark-up – wartime prices for a salad staple, as the Russian economy slows.
—Matthew Chance, CNN Money, 21 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slows
Verb
-
Glyphosate inhibits protein synthesis in plants and microorganisms, leading to their death.—
Michal Ruprecht,
CNN Money,
24 Feb. 2026
-
This can release a chemical that inhibits anxiety.—
Sally Jenkins,
The Atlantic,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
If growth decelerates, the stock price could be adversely affected.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Afterward, Denver7 heard from Douglas County residents, including a Parker woman who feels the move hinders productive conversations around local issues and is merely a way for the commissioners to dodge criticism and accountability.—
thedenverchannel.com,
Denver Post,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Willis was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) in 2023, which hinders his ability to communicate.—
Lexi Carson,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Slows.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slows. Accessed 5 Mar. 2026.
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