RETARD Synonyms: 54 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'retard' distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of retard are delay , detain , slacken , and slow . While all these words mean "to cause to be late or behind in movement or progress," retard suggests reduction of speed without actual stopping. // language barriers retarded their progress

Q: When can 'delay' be used instead of 'retard'?

The meanings of delay and retard largely overlap; however, delay implies a holding back, usually by interference, from completion or arrival. // bad weather delayed our arrival

Q: When might 'detain' be a better fit than 'retard'?

The words detain and retard can be used in similar contexts, but detain implies a holding back beyond a reasonable or appointed time. // unexpected business had detained her

Q: When could 'slacken' be used to replace 'retard'?

While in some cases nearly identical to retard , slacken suggests an easing up or relaxing of power or effort. // on hot days runners slacken their pace

Q: How do 'slow' and 'slacken' relate to one another, in the sense of 'retard'?

Both slow and slacken also imply a reduction of speed, slow often suggesting deliberate intention. // medication slowed the patient's heart rate

retard

verb

ri-ˈtärd

Definition of retard next

as in to slow

to cause to move or proceed at a less rapid pace an herbicide to retard the growth of weeds

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How is the word retard distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of retard are delay, detain, slacken, and slow. While all these words mean "to cause to be late or behind in movement or progress," retard suggests reduction of speed without actual stopping.

language barriers retarded their progress

When can delay be used instead of retard?

The meanings of delay and retard largely overlap; however, delay implies a holding back, usually by interference, from completion or arrival.

bad weather delayed our arrival

When might detain be a better fit than retard?

The words detain and retard can be used in similar contexts, but detain implies a holding back beyond a reasonable or appointed time.

unexpected business had detained her

When could slacken be used to replace retard?

While in some cases nearly identical to retard, slacken suggests an easing up or relaxing of power or effort.

on hot days runners slacken their pace

How do slow and slacken relate to one another, in the sense of retard?

Both slow and slacken also imply a reduction of speed, slow often suggesting deliberate intention.

medication slowed the patient's heart rate

Examples of retard in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Blockchain thus provides companies and banks a way to undo Basel II’s and Basel III’s retarding effect on trade finance while complying with their requirements. —

Rebecca Liao, Foreign Affairs, 16 Aug. 2017 Turning the lithium oxide—the product of discharging the battery—back to lithium is difficult and only partially possible even when assisted by special catalysts: The oxide builds up and retards the process, limiting the number of charge-discharge cycles to a mere handful. —

IEEE Spectrum, 31 Jan. 2011 Genesis Yes, the thing retarding recruitment below pre-2022 levels may be, at least in part, a military-wide health-records update that, much like MyChart in the civilian health-care world, tracks the medications of all service members. —

Luther Ray Abel, National Review, 9 Feb. 2024 Traditional concern with fiscal deficits has focused on their impact in pushing up interest rates and retarding investment. —

Lawrence H. Summers, Foreign Affairs, 15 Feb. 2016 It can be combatted by at least three means: by adding water injection, which Pontiac has avoided for a number of good reasons; by enriching the fuel-air mixture, which is unfortunately contrary to efficiency goals and therefore used sparingly; and by retarding ignition timing. —

Don Sherman, Car and Driver, 1 May 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'retard.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.