Definition of retardationnext
as in deceleration
a usually gradual decrease in the pace or level of activity of something scientists discovered that they could achieve the retardation of light if they shined it through a variety of substances

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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 retardation The Everrati's left pedal operates pads on discs in the normal fashion, but the motors also give powerful regenerative retardation when the accelerator is lifted. — Mike Duff, Car and Driver, 18 June 2021 The policy of retardation of submarine technology ended right after the beginning of the Anglo-German naval race (marked by the German Naval Laws of 1898 and 1900). — chicagotribune.com, 28 July 2017 At the end Austen had psychomotor retardation and could barely move. — Rene Chun, Los Angeles Magazine, 19 June 2017 The degree of retardation is usually mild, but can be moderate to severe. — Mark Cohen, Discover Magazine, 4 Apr. 2012
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retardation
Noun
  • Concerns about this recent deceleration aside, a slight quarter-to-quarter boost is obviously preferable to the bundle’s comparable loss of 953,000 customers between the first and second quarters of this year.
    — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 23 Sep. 2026
  • Altman and SpaceX's Elon Musk quickly backed Amodei's push for deceleration.
    — CJ Haddad, CNBC, 23 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Huawei's push into the smartphone market comes as sales in China have slumped this year, with a double-digit decline year-on-year in August and September, according to Counterpoint Research.
    — Matthew Tan,Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026
  • The co-CEOs have modeled a cash ramp-up in coming years but meanwhile there’s not a big cushion if churn rises, cable-network declines accelerate, the box office softens again or there’s macroeconomic or geopolitical disruption.
    — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • That operational slowdown would subsequently reduce gasoline output and drive total domestic energy costs higher.
    — , CNBC, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Against this backdrop of growing public concern and calls for a slowdown in frontier AI development, Fortune editor-in-chief Alyson Shontell flew out to San Francisco to speak with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman.
    — Sam Forsdick, Fortune, 6 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • At last week's race in Azerbaijan, Cadillac's Valtteri Bottas crashed on the last lap and reportedly blamed it on the software becoming confused and affecting his braking.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 4 Oct. 2026
  • The train can recharge using existing 480V cabling in yards and terminals, through dedicated charging infrastructure, and by recovering energy through regenerative braking.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 1 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • On Friday, Tesla reported better-than-expected third-quarter vehicle deliveries, lifting the stock almost 5%, but the company still posted a 2% year-over-year drop.
    — Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 3 Oct. 2026
  • The practical argument for wind-and-rain protection applies equally to spring transitional weather, and the trickle-down to Zara and Uniqlo means the shape will stay in stores well past this fall’s drop cycle.
    — Lauren Schuster, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Exports have been a bright spot for China’s economy, which is otherwise struggling with slumping consumption and a years-long property market slump.
    — Angelica Ang, Fortune, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Hernández and Tucker both went through major slumps at the plate during the season.
    — Beth Harris, Chicago Tribune, 4 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Retardation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retardation. Accessed 10 Oct. 2026.

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