slack 1 of 3

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slack

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noun

1
as in latitude
an allowable margin of freedom or variation our boss doesn't cut us any slack when it comes to being back from lunch on time

Synonyms & Similar Words

2
as in slackness
the extent to which something hangs or dips below a straight line take up the slack of a rope

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3

slack

3 of 3

verb

as in to loosen
to make less taut the skipper ordered the crew to slack off the sheets on the mainsail

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word slack different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of slack are lax, neglectful, negligent, and remiss. While all these words mean "culpably careless or indicative of such carelessness," slack implies want of due or necessary diligence or care.

slack workmanship

When might lax be a better fit than slack?

While in some cases nearly identical to slack, lax implies a blameworthy lack of strictness, severity, or precision.

a reporter lax about accurate quotation

When could neglectful be used to replace slack?

The words neglectful and slack can be used in similar contexts, but neglectful adds a more disapproving implication of laziness or deliberate inattention.

a society callously neglectful of the poor

In what contexts can negligent take the place of slack?

While the synonyms negligent and slack are close in meaning, negligent implies inattention to one's duty or business.

negligent about writing a note of thanks

When is it sensible to use remiss instead of slack?

The synonyms remiss and slack are sometimes interchangeable, but remiss implies blameworthy carelessness shown in slackness, forgetfulness, or neglect.

had been remiss in their familial duties

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 slack
Adjective
Biden’s resting expression of slack confusion was almost as unnerving as his faltering efforts to make a clear and vivid case for his reëlection. The Editors, The New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2024 Instead, Joanna suggests treating slack skin with facial massage. Photo: Gotham/gc Images., refinery29.com, 8 Feb. 2024
Noun
But the stations do fetch fewer service calls in the wet winter months, according to fire department data, and they are also located relatively close by to a station on Skyline Boulevard, which will pick up the slack for the stations until summer. Shomik Mukherjee, The Mercury News, 12 Jan. 2025 But one of the convicts used the slack security measures during rehearsals to plan a bank robbery, which ended up in the murder of two police officers, known as the infamous Malexander shootings of 1999. Annika Pham, Variety, 23 Jan. 2025
Verb
My own interests as a collector shifted back to Rolex sport watches precisely because the prices have fallen, this my attempt to take advantage of slacking prices for these off-trend neo-vintage pieces. Allen Farmelo, Robb Report, 17 Dec. 2024 Brian Snyder | Reuters Job openings rose in October while hiring fell, providing more data as the Federal Reserve watches for signs of tightness or slack in the labor market before meeting next week. Kristian Burt, CNBC, 4 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for slack 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slack
Adjective
  • The two men get reacquainted, as Anand accompanies Balya and his goats in long lazy days, gaining respite from visiting mourner relatives.
    Ritesh Mehta, IndieWire, 26 Jan. 2025
  • Steeped in the pleasantly lazy atmosphere of the title setting, the film is languorous, but not long.
    Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 25 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Traditional curbside recycling systems cannot process most beauty packaging due to design, which is often too small, too flexible or made of too many different material types.
    Lauren Parker, Sourcing Journal, 5 Feb. 2025
  • Programs such as the Military Spouse Preference program and the Military Spouse Employment Partnership could offer pathways to secure employment with remote or flexible options.
    Johnny C. Taylor Jr., USA TODAY, 4 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Presidents generally have wide latitude to cancel such contracts, though there is typically a deliberative process.
    Anna Maria Barry-Jester, ProPublica, 9 Feb. 2025
  • The possibility of low oil prices provides the Fed with some latitude to ease its inflationary concerns, supporting a decision to maintain current rates.
    Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 29 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Reheat gently on the stove, and loosen the sauce with a bit of stock or water.
    Marianne Williams, Southern Living, 31 Jan. 2025
  • That could mean creating tax incentives, loosening building regulations or establishing other policies that simplify doing business in Charlotte.
    Alexandria Sands, Axios, 30 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • The deal does not however, require her to testify against Samantha, who is still facing 17 felonies, including criminal vehicular homicide, criminal vehicular operation, driving under the influence, failure to provide proof of insurance, careless driving and speeding.
    Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 6 Feb. 2025
  • The careless boating misdemeanors carry a penalty of 60 days in jail and a $500 fine.
    Alexandra Glorioso, Miami Herald, 13 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • His relaxed posture, his silent attention, and his occasional eye contact draws me out.
    Contributed Content, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
  • This allows the hair to be relaxed instead of constantly pulling.
    Celeste Polanco, Essence, 6 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Charters for hire operate under looser FAR Part 135 rules.
    Jeffrey Kluger, TIME, 11 Feb. 2025
  • Eventually, Payne learned to lean into the loose, cheeky, respectfully rowdy aura One Direction cultivated during their peak years.
    Federico Fahsbender, Rolling Stone, 11 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • The series of talks will be a collaborative space where major stakeholders of models, agencies, brands, labor rights experts and ethicists will lead the charge to refine how the act will take shape and be enforced.
    Kanika Talwar, WWD, 11 Feb. 2025
  • The building at 38 North Genesee will have six residences on the top two floors, and 3,000 square feet of retail or office space.
    Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near slack

Cite this Entry

“Slack.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slack. Accessed 18 Feb. 2025.

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