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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Dissimilar Words

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

Foot Locker was more exposed to the slowdown because of its reliance on legacy footwear styles and product launches, which were both fewer in number and weaker than expected. — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 31 Aug. 2026 Analysts blame Vegas’ slowdown on rising consumer costs, not prediction sites. — Marshall Cohen, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026 Over at the streamers, however, there is no sense of a slowdown. — K.j. Yossman, Variety, 28 Aug. 2026 The decline tracks a broader slowdown in demand for American college opportunities among international students. — Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for slow (down)

Recent Examples of Synonyms for slow (down)

Verb

Even if Korea can maintain 2% economic growth over the next two decades, consumption growth gradually weakens and eventually turns negative, according to Goldman’s long-term modeling.

— Mia Osmonbekov, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2026
Riggs said the Teamsters’ safety argument is weakened by the inconsistent safety record of human truck drivers, who have fallen asleep at the wheel or driven while distracted or otherwise impaired.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of weaken

Noun

Larger coupon payments now provide a cushion against further price declines, unlike the low-yield environment earlier this decade.

— Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026
Later, Hammer filmed her body’s visible decline from a long battle with cancer, concluding with her death in 2019 at age 79.

— Rachel Handler, Vulture, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of decline

Verb

During an El Niño, those winds slacken, and the warm water slides eastward, leading to waters becoming generally one to two degrees Celsius above normal in the area around the Galápagos.

— Andrea Thompson, Scientific American, 27 Aug. 2026
Still further downstream the channel broadens out, and the slackening current has deposited débris and deadheads galore.

— HARRY H. EDEL, Outdoor Life, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of slacken

Noun

Over time, without regular use, the back of the body can lose its functional capacity for deceleration, which is when chronic knee pain generally starts to show up.

— Dana Santas, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026
But Delapierre was flung forwards violently by the rapid deceleration and suffered a nasty face-plant into the cockpit.

— Andrew Rice, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of deceleration

Verb

In a series of videos posted on social media and flagged by KOB4, Martinez filmed himself tearing the camera towers down in order to return them to their rightful owners.

— Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 3 Sep. 2026
Corle continued flagging and minutes later McCoy was back on the trail, hurrying to catch up.

— Jan Thacker, Outdoor Life, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of flag

Noun

Growth in the world's second-largest economy slowed to multi-year lows in the second quarter, weighed down by tepid domestic demand and a prolonged real estate slump.

— Anniek Bao, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026
The country is more vulnerable to an oil slump than many other producers, making its defense of prices and preservation of OPEC’s relevance a priority.

— Wael Mahdi, semafor.com, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of slump

Verb

Activity scheduling generally follows daily circadian rhythms, so more intensive experiences are clustered in the mornings, with a smattering in the afternoon that tapers off in time for slow sunset yoga or meditation.

— Jessica Ritz, Travel + Leisure, 30 Aug. 2026
Humidity should taper off by Friday as new weather patterns arrive from the Great Plains and southern Canada.

— Caden Perry, jsonline.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of taper off

Browse Nearby Words

slow burn

slow (down)

slowdown

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Slow (down).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slow%20%28down%29. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of slow (down)

verb

noun

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