slow (down) 1 of 2

verb

Definition of slow (down)next
as in to die (down)

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slowdown

2 of 2

noun

ˈslō-ˌdau̇n How to pronounce slowdown (audio)
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
The company did not reply to questions about when the two-week slowdown began. — Deepa Seetharaman, USA Today, 19 Aug. 2026 Eventually, a broad slowdown in profits, shrinking margins or spreading credit stress will give investors a stronger reason to retreat. — Andrew Graham, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026 Space is becoming busier and busier with no sign of slowdown. — Jonathan O'Callaghan, Scientific American, 18 Aug. 2026 Home Depot posted a strong quarter, despite a slowdown in sales. — Jake Angelo, semafor.com, 18 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for slow (down)
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slow (down)
  1. weaken
  2. decline
  3. slacken
  4. deceleration
  5. flag
  6. slump
  7. taper off
  8. drop
Verb
  • That makes the world a more dangerous place, where a mistake by just one actor could ignite a regional firestorm, with a US military weakened by Iran unable to ensure American security.
    — Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Hurricane Lala weakened to a tropical storm Sunday after skirting Hawaii without making landfall, but it wasn’t done punishing the Big Island with hurricane-force gusts.
    — Alexa St. John, Los Angeles Times, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of weaken
Noun
  • Bullish activity fell sharply, down about 50%, Meng pointed out, compared with a roughly 35% decline for bearish ETFs.
    — Deena Zaidi, CNBC, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Progressive cognitive decline that interferes with everyday functioning warrants further evaluation.
    — Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of decline
Verb
  • Surf-rock riffs, punctuated with pockets of silence, eventually slacken in tempo for a glorious, slo-mo finish.
    — Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 30 July 2026
  • 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
Definition of slacken
Noun
  • The record proves that the silent cabin, instant torque and smooth deceleration of electric-vehicle (EV) driving does not have to be derived from a charging grid.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 13 Aug. 2026
  • During the test drive, Lawgalet experienced the deceleration caused from regenerative braking, panicked and decided to return to the dealership after being surprised by the sensation.
    — Charles Singh, USA Today, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of deceleration
Verb
  • Robert Lee Turner was arrested after Instagram flagged his account and notified police.
    — Nikiya Carrero, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • To date, Grok and other LLMs’ only recourse is to create guardrails that flag suspicious instructions and forbid them from being executed.
    — Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of flag
Noun
  • The trip to hitter-friendly Mile High City, and a matchup against the last-place team in the NL West, came at the perfect time for the Dodgers, ending a collective slump.
    — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026
  • While the defense overwhelmed the Dolphins’ offense, with interceptions by Deonte Banks in 1-on-1 drills and Paulson Adebo in 11-on-11, Jaxson Dart snapped out of his slump.
    — Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of slump
Verb
  • Then there’s the question of whether demand will taper off, which is difficult to predict.
    — Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Rain showers got Wednesday started for most of the Philadelphia area, but that morning precipitation will taper off through midday.
    — Bill Kelly, CBS News, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of taper off
Noun
  • Unlike other meat products, the cost of chicken has seen little fluctuation in recent months, so much so that July’s 3-cent drop signaled the single biggest monthly change dating back to November 2024.
    — Claire Malon, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026
  • The critic who found a helpful narrative to understand the history, and future, of our images, without a drop of cynicism.
    — Carlos Valladares, ARTnews.com, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of drop

Browse Nearby Words

slow burn
slow (down)
slowdown
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Slow (down).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slow%20%28down%29. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

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