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 next

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

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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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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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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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

Examples 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

Instead, Joanna suggests treating slack skin with facial massage. —

Photo: Gotham/gc Images., refinery29.com, 8 Feb. 2024 At times, Byron Wu and Brad Falchuk’s series goes slack and switches tones too abruptly while firing off jokes that go splat. —

Randy Myers, Hartford Courant, 14 Jan. 2024

Noun

Dončić and teammate Kyrie Irving combined for 54 points in that matchup, and the latter should be comfortable picking up the slack Sunday. —

James Jackson, The Athletic, 22 Nov. 2024 Practical actions that employers can take to reduce work loneliness include measuring loneliness, designing slack in workflows, creating a culture of connection, and building social activities into the rhythm of work. —

Constance Noonan Hadley sarah L. Wright, Harvard Business Review, 1 Nov. 2024

Verb

Its pace is unhurried but never slack, and the production design contributions are all astute without distracting from the intimately human scale of this supernatural crisis. —

Dennis Harvey, Variety, 26 Sep. 2024 While he certainly can't be accused of slacking, many of Lynch's loyal fans are only fans of his film and television work. —

Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 5 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for slack

Recent Examples of Synonyms for slack

Adjective

The durable 1,000-piece jigsaw is made of thick stock and high-quality art paper engineered to withstand lazy days of leisure.

Jaclyn Trop, Robb Report, 11 Dec. 2024
Work Ethic And Attitude Toward Employment To label Gen-Z as lazy without understanding their work ethic would be a disservice.

Vikram Joshi, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024