slack 1 of 3

adjective

ˈslak How to pronounce slack (audio)
Definition of slacknext
1
as in lazy
failing to give proper care and attention a building contractor known mainly for his firm's slack workmanship and slipshod construction

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in flexible
not bound by rigid standards slack supervision on the project

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in loosened
not tightly fastened, tied, or stretched left the ropes slack

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

slack

2 of 3

noun

1
as in latitude
an allowable margin of freedom or variation our boss doesn't cut us any slack when it comes to being back from lunch on time

Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in slackness
the extent to which something hangs or dips below a straight line take up the slack of a rope

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in pants
slacks plural an outer garment covering each leg separately from waist to ankle she prefers wearing slacks instead of a dress

Synonyms & Similar Words

slack

3 of 3

verb

as in to loosen
to make less taut the skipper ordered the crew to slack off the sheets on the mainsail

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word slack different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of slack are lax, neglectful, negligent, and remiss. While all these words mean "culpably careless or indicative of such carelessness," slack implies want of due or necessary diligence or care.

slack workmanship

When might lax be a better fit than slack?

While in some cases nearly identical to slack, lax implies a blameworthy lack of strictness, severity, or precision.

a reporter lax about accurate quotation

When could neglectful be used to replace slack?

The words neglectful and slack can be used in similar contexts, but neglectful adds a more disapproving implication of laziness or deliberate inattention.

a society callously neglectful of the poor

In what contexts can negligent take the place of slack?

While the synonyms negligent and slack are close in meaning, negligent implies inattention to one's duty or business.

negligent about writing a note of thanks

When is it sensible to use remiss instead of slack?

The synonyms remiss and slack are sometimes interchangeable, but remiss implies blameworthy carelessness shown in slackness, forgetfulness, or neglect.

had been remiss in their familial duties

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 slack
Adjective
The worst transition is from a frictionless sprint into slack time or shallow administrative work. — Yaniv Golan, Forbes.com, 16 Mar. 2026 But what happens when the detox is over and the chorus of text pings, slack dings and social media notifications swells throughout the rest of the year? — Deborah Vankin, Los Angeles Times, 13 Jan. 2026
Noun
His assistant coaches, mostly a group of his former Granada Hills players, have to pick up the slack sometimes with the subsequent practices early in the following week. — Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026 Modern management has spent 50 years waging a largely successful war on slack. — Dr. Aditya Vikram Kashyap, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026
Verb
Redneck points out that it's heightened the XL's front wall by 11 inches (28 cm) as compared to older Freedom models, slacking up the angle of the roof to adjust for it. — New Atlas, 13 Apr. 2026 And under Chay Yew’s somewhat slack direction, Chinese Republicans never really finds its stride. — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 27 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for slack
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slack
  1. lazy
  2. flexible
  3. loosened
  4. latitude
  5. slackness
  6. loosen
  7. careless
  8. relaxed
Adjective
  • People get lazy, reusing passwords or pseudonyms or crypto wallets.
    — Finn Brunton, Harpers Magazine, 1 Sep. 2026
  • As the lazy days of summer fade and little ones return to school, autumn invites an air of academia.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of lazy
Adjective
  • Thickness, though, is not always an option—optical films have to stay clear, protective layers on aircraft have to stay light and flexible, and the barriers on outdoor electronics are thin by design.
    — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Soft loafers are also resonating for their lightweight, flexible construction and polished look without sacrificing comfort.
    — Stephen Garner, Footwear News, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of flexible
Adjective
  • The loosened restrictions will not empower Washington to pursue investment and economic cooperation with al Sharaa’s government, which could transform the impoverished country.
    — Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Scrub the metal grid with a dish sponge or brush to remove loosened debris.
    — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of loosened
Noun
  • Telescopes show Venus's crescent lengthening and thinning throughout the month, but observers at mid-northern latitudes will find Venus's image to be blurred by turbulence low in the sky.
    — Joe Rao, Space.com, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Engineers at Jet Propulsion Laboratory and AeroVironment are working on a larger solar panel for improved power production at high-latitude locations, Pomerantz said.
    — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of latitude
Noun
  • In the games so far, there have been quite a few fumbles and an apparent slackness of mind and limb.
    — E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 24 June 2026
Definition of slackness
Verb
  • Stein attributed the drop to a lengthening backlog for accounts receivable as Nvidia has loosened payment terms for its many backstopping deals.
    — Tobias Burns, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Vinegar and baking soda effectively loosen and remove stubborn grease.
    — Abby Monteil, The Spruce, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of loosen
Adjective
  • As part of the plea agreement, the prosecution amended the first charge to reckless driving, second offense, and the second charge to a careless driving citation.
    — Emily Shapiro, ABC News, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Steele accepted the reduced charge, along with a separate careless-driving citation, and suspended the athlete’s driver’s license for five years.
    — Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of careless
Adjective
  • Discover the Region of Valencia, where every experience invites you to embrace the relaxed rhythm of Mediterranean life.
    — Condé Nast Traveler, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Sep. 2026
  • The relaxed but sophisticated style is eye-catching and sleek, but not too stuffy.
    — Reece Andavolgyi, InStyle, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of relaxed

Browse Nearby Words

slabs
slack
slacked
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Slack.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slack. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of apiary

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Vol. 2 Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All