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slacken

[ slak-uhn ]

/ ˈslæk ən /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR slacken ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with or without object)

to make or become less active, vigorous, intense, etc.

to make or become looser or less taut.

Origin of slacken

First recorded in 1570–80; slack¹ + -en¹

SYNONYMS FOR slacken

1, 2 relax, loosen, slack, abate.

SEE SYNONYMS FOR slacken ON THESAURUS.COM

ANTONYMS FOR slacken

2 tighten, tense.

SEE ANTONYMS FOR slacken ON THESAURUS.COM

OTHER WORDS FROM slacken

un·slack·ened, adjective un·slack·en·ing, adjective

Words nearby slacken

slack suit, slack water, slack-baked, slack-jawed, slack-key, slacken, slacker, slacks, slacktivism, slag, slag cement

Example sentences from the Web for slacken

In the 1990s, his pace began to slacken, and eventually the hits evaporated.

Are We in the Midst of a Kevin Costner Comeback? |Andrew Romano |January 28, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
The liner began to slacken her speed, and the tugboat soon was alongside.

Sinking of the Titanic |Various
The march was resumed after a short delay, and not until two hours had passed did the Indian so much as slacken his pace.

The Search for the Silver City |James Otis
Though ordinarily surefooted, Merlin stumbled frequently, and Richard was obliged to slacken his pace.

The Lancashire Witches |William Harrison Ainsworth

I never saw such a runner; not a bit does he slacken for the hill—and what bright cheeks and eyes!

The Young Step-Mother |Charlotte M. Yonge
No horses had passed recently upon them, and he did not slacken his pace to examine them.

The White Chief |Mayne Reid

British Dictionary definitions for slacken

slacken

/ (ˈslækən) /

verb (often foll by off)

to make or become looser

to make or become slower, less intense, etc