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

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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

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as in sleepy

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

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as in boring

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

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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

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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

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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

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 slow

Adjective

Trading Bellinger creates more flexibility to add another starting pitcher and explore a bullpen market that has been much slower to develop. —

Patrick Mooney, The Athletic, 18 Dec. 2024 Many Asian countries were slower to reopen to tourism after the COVID-19 pandemic, and high demand drove airfares up. —

Zach Wichter, USA TODAY, 18 Dec. 2024

Verb

During the shutdown over the 2018 holiday season, air traffic controllers threatened to walk off the job, and a higher rate of absences slowed down travel in some airports. —

Brian Bennett, TIME, 20 Dec. 2024 The luxury market is experiencing a global slowdown, with spending across the board either slowed or falling for several months. —

Martin Lerma, Robb Report, 20 Dec. 2024

Adverb

Yet, with national and energy security and protecting local industries and jobs on their minds, many governments are reluctant to import goods from China, making the energy transition slower and more expensive. —

Sverre Alvik, Forbes, 8 Oct. 2024 During deep sleep, your heartbeat and breathing slow, your muscles relax, and your body works to enhance your blood supply and support tissue growth and repair.4 Conversely, heavy sleep is often a sign of an underlying condition that results in heavy sleep and adverse health outcomes. —

Daniel Combs, Verywell Health, 3 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for slow

Recent Examples of Synonyms for slow

Adjective

Hope & Main This downtown Providence mainstay, steps from The Beatrice, is the first stop each morning for locals who take advantage of convenient grab-and-go items or sit down for a more leisurely breakfast.

Pat Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 22 Dec. 2024
And what could be more leisurely than snacking on caviar during the holiday break?

Danielle Dorsey, Los Angeles Times, 22 Dec. 2024

Definition of leisurely

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“Slow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slow. Accessed 5 Jan. 2025.

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Last Updated: 4 Jan 2025 - Updated example sentences

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Synonyms of slow

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