SLOW Synonyms: 504 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'slow' distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of slow are delay , detain , retard , and slacken . While all these words mean "to cause to be late or behind in movement or progress," slow and slacken also imply a reduction of speed, slow often suggesting deliberate intention. // medication slowed the patient's heart rate

Q: In what contexts can 'delay' take the place of 'slow'?

In some situations, the words delay and slow are roughly equivalent. However, delay implies a holding back, usually by interference, from completion or arrival. // bad weather delayed our arrival

Q: When would 'detain' be a good substitute for 'slow'?

The meanings of detain and slow largely overlap; however, detain implies a holding back beyond a reasonable or appointed time. // unexpected business had detained her

Q: Where would 'retard' be a reasonable alternative to 'slow'?

While in some cases nearly identical to slow , retard suggests reduction of speed without actual stopping. // language barriers retarded their progress

Q: When can 'slacken' be used instead of 'slow'?

The synonyms slacken and slow are sometimes interchangeable, but slacken suggests an easing up or relaxing of power or effort. // on hot days runners slacken their pace

slow 1 of 3

adjective

ˈslō

Definition of slow next

as in leisurely

moving or proceeding at less than the normal, desirable, or required speed because of the holiday, traffic to the beach was particularly slow slow readers

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in dumb

not having or showing an ability to absorb ideas readily we love our bulldog though he's a little slower than our German shepherd

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in sleepy

lacking in gaiety, movement, or animation a slow day on Wall Street

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in boring

causing weariness, restlessness, or lack of interest the first half of the movie is slow, but then it gets exciting

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

slow

2 of 3

verb

as in to brake

to cause to move or proceed at a less rapid pace if you don't slow your delivery down a bit, your speech will be over too soon

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

slow

3 of 3

adverb

as in slowly

at a pace that is less than usual, desirable, or expected you need to go slow with this experiment, or you'll make mistakes

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word slow distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of slow are delay, detain, retard, and slacken. While all these words mean "to cause to be late or behind in movement or progress," slow and slacken also imply a reduction of speed, slow often suggesting deliberate intention.

medication slowed the patient's heart rate

In what contexts can delay take the place of slow?

In some situations, the words delay and slow are roughly equivalent. However, delay implies a holding back, usually by interference, from completion or arrival.

bad weather delayed our arrival

When would detain be a good substitute for slow?

The meanings of detain and slow largely overlap; however, detain implies a holding back beyond a reasonable or appointed time.

unexpected business had detained her

Where would retard be a reasonable alternative to slow?

While in some cases nearly identical to slow, retard suggests reduction of speed without actual stopping.

language barriers retarded their progress

When can slacken be used instead of slow?

The synonyms slacken and slow are sometimes interchangeable, but slacken suggests an easing up or relaxing of power or effort.

on hot days runners slacken their pace

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

Adjective

The resulting body configurations are ideal for both slow long-term ocean exploration and inspection of narrow urban spaces like pipes and buried infrastructure. —

John Koetsier, Forbes, 29 Jan. 2025 Randle has often been slow to close out on 3-point shooters and inattentive off the ball. —

Jon Krawczynski, The Athletic, 18 Jan. 2025

Verb

Part of this care is providing ARV treatment (antiretroviral drugs which help to suppress the virus, slowing down the progression of HIV and reducing the risk of AIDS). —

Dan Perry, Newsweek, 31 Jan. 2025 Claiming either the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) can also slow down a tax refund. —

Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 30 Jan. 2025

Adverb

However, if inventory continues to rise and home sales slow, the market could soon shift to a more balanced or neutral state. —

Dan Perry, Newsweek, 4 Jan. 2025 The model suggests that time moves much slower in matter-dense areas (like the Milky Way galaxy) than in voids. —

Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 27 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for slow

Recent Examples of Synonyms for slow

Adjective

Nearby, pedestrians take leisurely strolls along the Wrigley Greenbelt and bike riders zip across the L.A. River trail overhead.

— Laura Anaya-Morga, Los Angeles Times, 25 Jan. 2025
For either short trips to the store or long, leisurely road trips the E 450 is made to coddle you.

— Kristin Shaw, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025

Definition of leisurely

Cite this Entry

Style

“Slow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slow. Accessed 4 Feb. 2025.

Copy Citation

Last Updated: 4 Feb 2025 - Updated example sentences

Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Word of the Day

zaftig

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Synonyms of slow

adjective

verb

adverb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Thesaurus Entries Near slow

Cite this Entry