SLACK Synonyms: 176 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

slack 1 of 3

adjective

ˈslak

Definition of slack

as in lazy

failing to give proper care and attention a building contractor known mainly for his firm's slack workmanship and slipshod construction

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in flexible

not bound by rigid standards slack supervision on the project

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in loosened

not tightly fastened, tied, or stretched left the ropes slack

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

slack

2 of 3

noun

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

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as in slackness

the extent to which something hangs or dips below a straight line take up the slack of a rope

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in pants

slacks plural an outer garment covering each leg separately from waist to ankle she prefers wearing slacks instead of a dress

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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

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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

Simmons was no slack, either — 23 for 30, 340 yards, two touchdowns cementing him among the SEC’s finest new starters. — Noah White, Miami Herald, 4 Oct. 2026 Machine-speed offense has removed the slack that made that old model survivable. — Taylor Morgan, Forbes.com, 2 Oct. 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

Adjective

Composed of 160 photographs taken across the past seven decades by 118 photographers, the show suggests the jobs, romances, family life, and lazy afternoons that could have been his.

— The Week US, TheWeek, 13 Oct. 2026
However, GitHub’s measures don’t require users to revoke any credentials left exposed in a repo, and some developers continue hard-coding, even though it’s considered both lazy development and exceptionally poor security.

— Alex Colon, PC Magazine, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of lazy

Adjective

With shifting tariff rules and trade policies, merchants need to stay flexible to handle sudden political and financial changes.

— Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 12 Oct. 2026
To surmount the issue, Apple routed a flexible graphite pipe through the hinge itself to transfer heat between the two halves, thereby increasing the surface area available for heat dissipation.

— Eric Zeman, PC Magazine, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of flexible

Adjective

Use a non-abrasive scrubbing sponge or a microfiber cloth to remove all the loosened debris.

— Maria Sabella, The Spruce, 19 Sep. 2026
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

Definition of loosened

Noun

Even so, viewers at mid-northern latitudes should see an eye-catching object low in the west-northwest sky in early August.

— Joe Rao, Space.com, 13 Oct. 2026
Individual businesses have latitude to pursue opportunities within group-wide guidelines and a strong risk-management framework, while central functions provide the governance, systems and controls that keep that autonomy disciplined.

— Rob Versaw, Forbes.com, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of latitude

Adjective

Josh Hoover may have been a bit careless, but every game TCU has played this season is another painful example how badly both his old school, and coach, miss him.

— Mac Engel October 14, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Oct. 2026
Red Raiders quarterback Will Hammond can be careless with the football, throwing three interceptions against Sam Houston last weekend and posting five picks in four games.

— Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of careless

Adjective

Lucky’s denim heritage and lived-in Americana aesthetic and Madhappy’s optimistic ideology and relaxed silhouettes.

— Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
The likes of Bottega Veneta, The Row, and Prada have modernised the pencil skirt for 2026, moving away from rigid, tight fits and presenting a more relaxed silhouette that is in keeping with the recent soft power styling mood.

— Emma Spedding, Vogue, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of relaxed

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slabs

slack

slacked

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Style

“Slack.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slack. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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verb

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