SLOW (DOWN) Synonyms: 68 Similar and Opposite Words

slow (down) 1 of 2

verb

Definition of slow (down)

as in to die (down)

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slowdown

2 of 2

noun

ˈslō-ˌdau̇n

as in decline

a usually gradual decrease in the pace or level of activity of something disease experts are encouraged by the recent slowdown in the spread of the virus

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example 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 (down)

Noun

Finance executives forecasting the impact of a 5% revenue slowdown no longer build the scenario manually. — Karthik Chakkarapani, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026 During expansions, consumers and businesses are more willing to commit to major purchases; during slowdowns, those same purchases are often among the first to be delayed. — Doug Ashburn, Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 June 2026 That puts more pressure on new Fed Chair Kevin Warsh and his colleagues, a dissent-happy bunch over the past year, to consider whether a slowdown in jobs or an uptick in inflation is the bigger risk to the economy. — Jake Angelo, semafor.com, 2 July 2026 Economists polled by Dow Jones expect nonfarm payrolls to rise by 115,000 in June, which would mark a slowdown from the 172,000 gain a month prior. — Alex Harring, CNBC, 2 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for slow (down)

Recent Examples of Synonyms for slow (down)

Verb

The flow of dark traffic is one of the factors that helped explain why oil markets had weakened significantly by early June, together with a surge in exports from the US and pullback in buying by China.

— Weilun Soon, Fortune, 5 July 2026
But as several surveys have consistently indicated, optimism about our country's outlook has undeniably weakened.

— Robert Hormats, Time, 4 July 2026

Definition of weaken

Noun

If inflation is outpacing nominal interest rates, the real return on bonds and other income-producing assets declines or even becomes negative.

— Faith Wakefield, USA Today, 8 July 2026
This decline has pinched profit margins in the 401(k) world, said Kai Richter, an attorney with Cohen Milstein who has long specialized in ERISA class-action cases.

— Paul Kiel, ProPublica, 8 July 2026

Definition of decline

Verb

Following 2023’s Emotional Contracts, where producer Dave Fridmann injected a harder, radio-ready punch, Coin-O-Matic’s mellower Americana sound reflects a band at ease with itself, even when the tempos slacken and the organ gets buried in the mix.

— Arman Khan, Pitchfork, 19 June 2026
Friday night weather The ferociously high winds that moved through the region Thursday have since slackened, but breezy conditions will linger through the weekend.

— Matthew Villafane, CBS News, 19 June 2026

Definition of slacken

Noun

Match analysis from professional football also suggests around a quarter fewer explosive accelerations and decelerations at altitude than at sea level.

— Alan McCall, New York Times, 1 July 2026
Hamstring strains often occur during sprinting or rapid deceleration, while groin strains are linked to cutting movements and powerful inside-foot kicks.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 15 June 2026

Definition of deceleration

Verb

OpenAI flagged Van Rootselaar’s ChatGPT account in June 2025 — several months before the shooting — by systems that check for misuse, including potential violent activity.

— Bloomberg, Mercury News, 8 July 2026
Despite mandatory reporting requirements to share information like a user’s IP address when CSAM is flagged, xAI repeatedly refused to help cops or NCMEC identify the user, the complaint alleged.

— Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 8 July 2026

Definition of flag

Noun

The patriotic ball drop is scheduled to air at midnight ET on CNN as July 3 turns into July 4 in Times Square.

— Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 4 July 2026
Tesla’s results – which came in above expectations – indicate the company may be recovering after two straight years of annual sales drops and the removal EV tax credits in the US, which has lowered the incentive for prospective American buyers.

— Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 3 July 2026

Definition of drop

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slow burn

slow (down)

slowdown

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Style

“Slow (down).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slow%20%28down%29. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of slow (down)

verb

noun

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