SLOWDOWN 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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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

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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 slow (down)

Noun

The move comes amid a global shortage largely attributed to slowdowns of the passage of oil through the Strait of Hormuz. — Rebecca Schneid, Time, 3 Oct. 2026 In Hollywood, a slowdown in film production has prompted Disney, Sony, Amazon and other studios to announce layoffs, with the industry shedding roughly 57,000 jobs in four years. — Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026 If even a project with as much momentum behind it as Kilby sees a possible slowdown ahead, other data center developers should temper their expectations for pacing accordingly. — Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 1 Oct. 2026 As for his next move, Perry is planning a big relocation—and a slowdown of his famously busy schedule. — India Roby, Architectural Digest, 30 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for slow (down)

Recent Examples of Synonyms for slow (down)

Verb

Fink said the churn weakens the tie between a worker and an employer.

— Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2026
Other potential causes are higher rates of chronic stress, depression and anxiety, as well as autoimmune diseases, which weaken the immune system, Curhan said.

— Kaitlin Sullivan, NBC news, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of weaken

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

Definition of decline

Verb

His power slackened in 2025 before a slight resurgence this season.

— Andy McCullough, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
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

Definition of slacken

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

Definition of deceleration

Verb

Prices flow though the supply chain In recent months, trucking companies and some of the major consumer brands have flagged transportation issues, notably fuel and labor, as potential pain points.

— Natasha Chen, CNN Money, 7 Oct. 2026
In 2012 a compounding pharmacy called the New England Compounding Center started mass-producing medications in a setting that had been flagged as unsanitary numerous times.

— Alana Semuels, Time, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of flag

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

Definition of slump

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

Definition of drop

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slow burn

slow (down)

slowdown

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“Slow (down).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slow%20%28down%29. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of slow (down)

verb

noun

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