SLACKEN Synonyms: 72 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'slacken' distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of slacken are delay , detain , retard , and slow . While all these words mean "to cause to be late or behind in movement or progress," slacken suggests an easing up or relaxing of power or effort. // on hot days runners slacken their pace

Q: Where would 'delay' be a reasonable alternative to 'slacken'?

Although the words delay and slacken have much in common, delay implies a holding back, usually by interference, from completion or arrival. // bad weather delayed our arrival

Q: When is it sensible to use 'detain' instead of 'slacken'?

While in some cases nearly identical to slacken , detain implies a holding back beyond a reasonable or appointed time. // unexpected business had detained her

Q: When would 'retard' be a good substitute for 'slacken'?

The synonyms retard and slacken are sometimes interchangeable, but retard suggests reduction of speed without actual stopping. // language barriers retarded their progress

Q: How do 'slow' and 'slacken' relate to one another?

Both slow and slacken also imply a reduction of speed, slow often suggesting deliberate intention. // medication slowed the patient's heart rate

slacken

verb

ˈsla-kən

Definition of slacken next

as in to loosen

to make less taut you'll need to slacken the rope a bit to get it free of that post

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to slow

to cause to move or proceed at a less rapid pace drivers need to slacken their speed as they approach the sharp curve

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word slacken distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of slacken are delay, detain, retard, and slow. While all these words mean "to cause to be late or behind in movement or progress," slacken suggests an easing up or relaxing of power or effort.

on hot days runners slacken their pace

Where would delay be a reasonable alternative to slacken?

Although the words delay and slacken have much in common, delay implies a holding back, usually by interference, from completion or arrival.

bad weather delayed our arrival

When is it sensible to use detain instead of slacken?

While in some cases nearly identical to slacken, detain implies a holding back beyond a reasonable or appointed time.

unexpected business had detained her

When would retard be a good substitute for slacken?

The synonyms retard and slacken are sometimes interchangeable, but retard suggests reduction of speed without actual stopping.

language barriers retarded their progress

How do slow and slacken relate to one another?

Both slow and slacken also imply a reduction of speed, slow often suggesting deliberate intention.

medication slowed the patient's heart rate

Examples 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 slacken More than anything, the Kimpton Armory is a place to slacken, socialize, and store up for the day’s adventures in the area’s mountains and rivers. —

Wendy Altschuler, Forbes, 10 Sep. 2024 Though fundraising slackened, the foundation’s net assets increased to $962 million in 2023, up from $925 million the previous year. —

A.d. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 4 Sep. 2024 This is because the upper-level winds steering the storm are forecast to slacken as Ernesto nears Bermuda, causing the storm's forward motion to slow. —

Andrew Freedman, Axios, 15 Aug. 2024 By July, the company’s initial restraint had slackened. —

Brian Merchant, WIRED, 23 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for slacken

Recent Examples of Synonyms for slacken

Verb

The fact that the Catholic Church held so much sway over the Republic of Ireland’s political institutions for so long ensured that, once the shackles were loosened, the South more or less speedran the entire postwar era in the past 30 years.

Nate Jones, Vulture, 18 Nov. 2024
Trump has generally pledged to extend or enact major tax cuts while loosening regulations, something that the business community is set to embrace.

Rob Wile, NBC News, 6 Nov. 2024