SLOW Synonyms: 504 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of slow are delay , detain , retard , and slacken . While all these words mean "to cause to be late or behind in movement or progress," slow and slacken also imply a reduction of speed, slow often suggesting deliberate intention. // medication slowed the patient's heart rate

Q: In what contexts can 'delay' take the place of 'slow'?

In some situations, the words delay and slow are roughly equivalent. However, delay implies a holding back, usually by interference, from completion or arrival. // bad weather delayed our arrival

Q: When would 'detain' be a good substitute for 'slow'?

The meanings of detain and slow largely overlap; however, detain implies a holding back beyond a reasonable or appointed time. // unexpected business had detained her

Q: Where would 'retard' be a reasonable alternative to 'slow'?

While in some cases nearly identical to slow , retard suggests reduction of speed without actual stopping. // language barriers retarded their progress

Q: When can 'slacken' be used instead of 'slow'?

The synonyms slacken and slow are sometimes interchangeable, but slacken suggests an easing up or relaxing of power or effort. // on hot days runners slacken their pace

slow 1 of 3

adjective

ˈslō

Definition of slow next

as in leisurely

moving or proceeding at less than the normal, desirable, or required speed because of the holiday, traffic to the beach was particularly slow slow readers

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as in dumb

not having or showing an ability to absorb ideas readily we love our bulldog though he's a little slower than our German shepherd

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as in sleepy

lacking in gaiety, movement, or animation a slow day on Wall Street

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as in boring

causing weariness, restlessness, or lack of interest the first half of the movie is slow, but then it gets exciting

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slow

2 of 3

verb

as in to brake

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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slow

3 of 3

adverb

as in slowly

at a pace that is less than usual, desirable, or expected you need to go slow with this experiment, or you'll make mistakes

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word slow distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of slow are delay, detain, retard, and slacken. While all these words mean "to cause to be late or behind in movement or progress," slow and slacken also imply a reduction of speed, slow often suggesting deliberate intention.

medication slowed the patient's heart rate

In what contexts can delay take the place of slow?

In some situations, the words delay and slow are roughly equivalent. However, delay implies a holding back, usually by interference, from completion or arrival.

bad weather delayed our arrival

When would detain be a good substitute for slow?

The meanings of detain and slow largely overlap; however, detain implies a holding back beyond a reasonable or appointed time.

unexpected business had detained her

Where would retard be a reasonable alternative to slow?

While in some cases nearly identical to slow, retard suggests reduction of speed without actual stopping.

language barriers retarded their progress

When can slacken be used instead of slow?

The synonyms slacken and slow are sometimes interchangeable, but slacken suggests an easing up or relaxing of power or effort.

on hot days runners slacken their pace

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 slow

Adjective

Big picture China has been a challenge for Starbucks, and other American companies for that matter, as Chinese consumer wallets have been stretched in a weak economy that has been slow to recover from the Covid pandemic. —

Paulina Likos, CNBC, 21 Nov. 2024 The results indicate that the AI market is continuing to boom as companies pour billions of dollars into buying advanced chips and other equipment, albeit at a slightly slower pace. —

Lauren Goode, WIRED, 21 Nov. 2024

Verb

As interest rates rise, borrowing becomes more expensive, which can slow down the property market. —

Johan Hajji, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024 Stock market surges on Election Day Prices Inflation has bedeviled the U.S. for the past several years -- but in recent months price increases have slowed back down to a normal pace. —

Max Zahn, ABC News, 5 Nov. 2024

Adverb

Traditionally, birria is a beef or goat stew, slow cooked with spices and chiles to give the meat lots of flavor. —

Amelia Lucas, CNBC, 25 Sep. 2024 Gregory noted that county officials are quick to use money for farmland preservation, but some have moved slower on figuring out how to use opioid settlement money. —

Anthony Hennen | The Center Square, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 21 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for slow

Recent Examples of Synonyms for slow

Adjective

The film’s leisurely pace, its large company of broad and one-dimensional supporting players, and an unshakably saccharine tone don’t help matters at all.

Vikram Murthi, IndieWire, 20 Nov. 2024
The crisp air and vibrant colors of the orchards create a beautiful backdrop for a leisurely day.

Tribune Content Agency, The Mercury News, 14 Nov. 2024

Definition of leisurely

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“Slow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slow. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

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Last Updated: 28 Nov 2024 - Updated example sentences

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Synonyms of slow

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