slacken

verb

slack·en ˈsla-kən How to pronounce slacken (audio)

slackened; slackening ˈsla-kᵊn-iŋ How to pronounce slacken (audio)

transitive verb

: to make less active : slow up

slacken speed at a crossing

: to make slack (as by lessening tension or firmness)

slacken sail

intransitive verb

: to become slack or slow or negligent : slow down

: to become less active : slack

Example Sentences

Sales show no sign of slackening. As he began to relax, his grip on the steering wheel slackened. The captain ordered us to slacken the sails.

Recent Examples on the Web The policies weaken; people lose interest in following them, spurring officials to slacken even more.

Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 16 Aug. 2022 Easterly breezes slacken through the night, mainly staying below 5 mph.

A. Camden Walker, Washington Post, 13 May 2022 Winds slacken somewhat Friday night with colder lows in the upper 30s to low 40s.

Washington Post, 23 Mar. 2022 Winds should begin to slacken overnight as the high pressure begins to weaken east of the Cascades.

oregonlive, 28 Jan. 2022 Although the older variant is clinging on for dear life in a few pockets, its grasp will likely continue to slacken and slip under the weight of its craftier cousin.

Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 27 Jan. 2022 Heavy rain should slacken in the area by late morning as a warm front pushes the system north into British Columbia.

oregonlive, 12 Jan. 2022 Norway’s power needs are usually largely met by a network of hydroelectric plants, but output can slacken when reservoirs run low.

New York Times, 4 Jan. 2022 Tomorrow night: Skies are mainly clear, and winds should slacken compared to the day.

Washington Post, 18 Dec. 2021 See More

slacken

verb

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

Relevance

loosen
slack
relax
ease
untie
detach
unfasten
undo
unbind
free

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

tension
tighten
tense
stretch
bind
strain
attach
restrain
tie
fasten
constrain

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

slow
brake
inhibit
decelerate
hinder
restrain
impede
retard
stop
halt
obstruct
rein
curb
hamper
check
thwart
constrain
set back
tie up
handicap
encumber
frustrate
hobble
bottleneck
arrest
foil
hold back
sabotage
baffle
hold up

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

accelerate
hasten
hurry
rush
quicken
push
encourage
urge
stir
spur
step up
speed (up)
propel
facilitate
help
drive
aid
forward
ease
expedite
goad
further
advance
dispatch

Synonym Chooser

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

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

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

unexpected business had detained her

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

language barriers retarded their progress

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

medication slowed the patient's heart rate

单词	slacken
释义	slacken verb slack·en ˈsla-kən slackened; slackening ˈsla-kᵊn-iŋ transitive verb 1 : to make less active : slow up slacken speed at a crossing 2 : to make slack (as by lessening tension or firmness) slacken sail intransitive verb 1 : to become slack or slow or negligent : slow down 2 : to become less active : slack Synonyms ease loosen relax slack See all Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Sales show no sign of slackening. As he began to relax, his grip on the steering wheel slackened. The captain ordered us to slacken the sails. Recent Examples on the Web The policies weaken; people lose interest in following them, spurring officials to slacken even more. Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 16 Aug. 2022 Easterly breezes slacken through the night, mainly staying below 5 mph. A. Camden Walker, Washington Post, 13 May 2022 Winds slacken somewhat Friday night with colder lows in the upper 30s to low 40s. Washington Post, 23 Mar. 2022 Winds should begin to slacken overnight as the high pressure begins to weaken east of the Cascades. oregonlive, 28 Jan. 2022 Although the older variant is clinging on for dear life in a few pockets, its grasp will likely continue to slacken and slip under the weight of its craftier cousin. Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 27 Jan. 2022 Heavy rain should slacken in the area by late morning as a warm front pushes the system north into British Columbia. oregonlive, 12 Jan. 2022 Norway’s power needs are usually largely met by a network of hydroelectric plants, but output can slacken when reservoirs run low. New York Times, 4 Jan. 2022 Tomorrow night: Skies are mainly clear, and winds should slacken compared to the day. Washington Post, 18 Dec. 2021 See More Word History First Known Use 14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1 Kids Definition slacken verb slack·en ˈsla-kən slackened; slackening 1 : to make slower or less energetic The wind slackened. 2 : to make less tight or firm She slackened the reins. slacken verb 1 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 Relevance loosen slack relax ease untie detach unfasten undo unbind free Antonyms & Near Antonyms tension tighten tense stretch bind strain attach restrain tie fasten constrain See More 2 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 slow brake inhibit decelerate hinder restrain impede retard stop halt obstruct rein curb hamper check thwart constrain set back tie up handicap encumber frustrate hobble bottleneck arrest foil hold back sabotage baffle hold up Antonyms & Near Antonyms accelerate hasten hurry rush quicken push encourage urge stir spur step up speed (up) propel facilitate help drive aid forward ease expedite goad further advance dispatch See More Synonym Chooser 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 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 While in some cases nearly identical to slacken, detain implies a holding back beyond a reasonable or appointed time. unexpected business had detained her The synonyms retard and slacken are sometimes interchangeable, but retard suggests reduction of speed without actual stopping. language barriers retarded their progress Both slow and slacken also imply a reduction of speed, slow often suggesting deliberate intention. medication slowed the patient's heart rate
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slacken

verb

Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

Kids Definition

verb

verb

Synonym Chooser