slacken

verb

slack·en | \ ˈsla-kən

slackened; slackening\ ˈsla-kᵊn-iŋ

Definition of slacken

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 & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about slacken

Keep scrolling for more

Synonyms & Antonyms for slacken

Synonyms

ease, loosen, relax, slack

Antonyms

strain, stretch, tense, tension, tighten

Choose the Right Synonym for slacken

delay, retard, slow, slacken, detain mean to cause to be late or behind in movement or progress. delay implies a holding back, usually by interference, from completion or arrival. bad weather delayed our arrival retard suggests reduction of speed without actual stopping. language barriers retarded their progress slow and slacken also imply a reduction of speed, slow often suggesting deliberate intention medication slowed the patient's heart rate , slacken an easing up or relaxing of power or effort. on hot days runners slacken their pace detain implies a holding back beyond a reasonable or appointed time. unexpected business had detained her

Examples of slacken in a Sentence

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

Sometimes, those winds—cousins of the famous raging band of Southern Ocean winds known as the Roaring 40s—slacken or even reverse. — Alejandra Borunda, National Geographic, "West Antarctica is melting—and it’s our fault," 12 Aug. 2019 Our internal taskmasters, who admonish us to work harder and never slacken the pace, are powerful. — Cassie Werber, Quartz at Work, "There’s a mindfulness exercise that the strongest leaders need to try," 31 July 2019 Skies stay mostly clear and northwesterly winds slacken off to about 5 mph. — Rick Grow, Washington Post, "D.C.-area forecast: Typical summer heat and humidity reign today through the weekend," 12 July 2019 As slackening global demand crimps purchases of Chinese exports, for instance, the trade-off between domestic deleveraging and robust growth in Beijing becomes much starker. — The Economist, "The global economy is on a knife-edge," 27 June 2019 That has generated grumbling among some within the academy’s ranks who feel that standards have been slackened in the effort to boost inclusion. — Josh Rottenberg, latimes.com, "Film academy invites more women than men to key director, writer and producer branches," 1 July 2019 If the economy slows, Amherst could benefit in two ways: Home prices would slacken, creating buying opportunities for investors, and rental demand would rise. — Shawn Tully, Fortune, "Meet the A.I. Landlord That’s Building a Single-Family-Home Empire," 21 June 2019 Pilots who pull back forcefully on the column — sometimes called the stick — might suddenly feel a slackening of resistance. — Anchorage Daily News, "The inside story of MCAS: How Boeing’s 737 MAX system gained power and lost safeguards," 13 Mar. 2019 The demand for Cambodia’s sand certainly won’t slacken any time soon. — Vince Beiser, National Geographic, "Sand mining threatens ways of life, from Cambodia to Nigeria," 23 Apr. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'slacken.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for slacken

slacken

verb

English Language Learners Definition of slacken

: to become slower or less active : to slow down

: to make (something) slower or less active

: to become less tight or to make (something) less tight

See the full definition for slacken in the English Language Learners Dictionary

slacken

verb

slack·en | \ ˈsla-kən

slackened; slackening

Kids Definition of slacken

1 : to make slower or less energetic The wind slackened.

2 : to make less tight or firm She slackened the reins.

Keep scrolling for more

slacken

Definition of slacken

Synonyms & Antonyms for slacken

Choose the Right Synonym for slacken

Examples of slacken in a Sentence

First Known Use of slacken

English Language Learners Definition of slacken

Kids Definition of slacken

WORD OF THE DAY