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

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

Two juveniles darted across a branch, and the younger female began to hunt flying insects, moving in a slow crouch. —

Jessica Camille Aguirre, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 Jan. 2025 But Williams and the Bears offense, which have struggled all season with slow starts, certainly didn’t look cool and collected prior to the fourth quarter. —

Chicago Tribune, 6 Jan. 2025

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

Their skating looked slow next to the Lightning, their puck battles were half-hearted and so on. —

Aaron Portzline, The Athletic, 18 Dec. 2024 Of course, the clock runs slower as the pendulum gets longer. —

Mark Fischetti, Scientific American, 15 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for slow

Recent Examples of Synonyms for slow

Adjective

Speed options range from a leisurely stroll to a quick jog, with a cushioned running surface that’s easy on the knees and can accommodate users up to 280 pounds.

Miles Walls, People.com, 1 Jan. 2025
Navarro often played sitting down in the control room, his feet resting on the mixing console, creating the most complicated licks seem from that leisurely position.

Aaron Gilbreath, SPIN, 31 Dec. 2024

Definition of leisurely

Cite this Entry

Style

“Slow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slow. Accessed 10 Jan. 2025.

Copy Citation

Last Updated: 9 Jan 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

untenable

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Synonyms of slow

adjective

verb

adverb

Synonym Chooser

Examples Sentences

Thesaurus Entries Near slow

Cite this Entry