retarded; retarding; retards
: to delay or impede the development or progress of : to slow up especially by preventing or hindering advance or accomplishment
chemicals to retard the spread of fire
: to become delayed : to undergo retardation
retarder
noun
Synonyms
Examples of retard in a Sentence
Verb
The chemical will retard the spread of fire.
The problems have retarded the progress of the program.
Recent Examples on the Web
Rebecca Liao, Foreign Affairs, 16 Aug. 2017
Turning the lithium oxide—the product of discharging the battery—back to lithium is difficult and only partially possible even when assisted by special catalysts: The oxide builds up and retards the process, limiting the number of charge-discharge cycles to a mere handful.
—IEEE Spectrum, 31 Jan. 2011
Genesis Yes, the thing retarding recruitment below pre-2022 levels may be, at least in part, a military-wide health-records update that, much like MyChart in the civilian health-care world, tracks the medications of all service members.
—Luther Ray Abel, National Review, 9 Feb. 2024
Traditional concern with fiscal deficits has focused on their impact in pushing up interest rates and retarding investment.
—Lawrence H. Summers, Foreign Affairs, 15 Feb. 2016
It can be combatted by at least three means: by adding water injection, which Pontiac has avoided for a number of good reasons; by enriching the fuel-air mixture, which is unfortunately contrary to efficiency goals and therefore used sparingly; and by retarding ignition timing.
—Don Sherman, Car and Driver, 1 May 2023
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.
Verb
Blockchain thus provides companies and banks a way to undo Basel II’s and Basel III’s retarding effect on trade finance while complying with their requirements.
—Rebecca Liao, Foreign Affairs, 16 Aug. 2017
Turning the lithium oxide—the product of discharging the battery—back to lithium is difficult and only partially possible even when assisted by special catalysts: The oxide builds up and retards the process, limiting the number of charge-discharge cycles to a mere handful.
—IEEE Spectrum, 31 Jan. 2011
Genesis Yes, the thing retarding recruitment below pre-2022 levels may be, at least in part, a military-wide health-records update that, much like MyChart in the civilian health-care world, tracks the medications of all service members.
—Luther Ray Abel, National Review, 9 Feb. 2024
Traditional concern with fiscal deficits has focused on their impact in pushing up interest rates and retarding investment.
—Lawrence H. Summers, Foreign Affairs, 15 Feb. 2016
It can be combatted by at least three means: by adding water injection, which Pontiac has avoided for a number of good reasons; by enriching the fuel-air mixture, which is unfortunately contrary to efficiency goals and therefore used sparingly; and by retarding ignition timing.
—Don Sherman, Car and Driver, 1 May 2023
Dictionary Entries Near retard
Cite this Entry
“Retard.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/retard. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
retard
transitive verb
re·tard
ri-ˈtärd 
: to slow up especially by preventing or hindering advance or development
retard spoilage
retard hair loss
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share