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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Recent Examples of retardation
The degree of retardation is usually mild, but can be moderate to severe.
—
Mark Cohen, Discover Magazine, 4 Apr. 2012
The criteria were: episodes that last no longer than 2 months, and that do not include suicidal feelings, psychotic symptoms, psychomotor retardation, or feelings of worthlessness.
—Neuroskeptic, Discover Magazine, 15 Mar. 2013
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 Vantage’s brake pedal has a nice firm weight but little travel, retardation being down to pressure rather than movement.
—Mike Duff, Car and Driver, 28 Feb. 2018
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 front wheels threaten to lock up under what feels like normal levels of retardation at low speeds.
—Mike Duff, Car and Driver, 30 June 2017
Mark Cohen, Discover Magazine, 4 Apr. 2012
The criteria were: episodes that last no longer than 2 months, and that do not include suicidal feelings, psychotic symptoms, psychomotor retardation, or feelings of worthlessness.
—Neuroskeptic, Discover Magazine, 15 Mar. 2013
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 Vantage’s brake pedal has a nice firm weight but little travel, retardation being down to pressure rather than movement.
—Mike Duff, Car and Driver, 28 Feb. 2018
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 front wheels threaten to lock up under what feels like normal levels of retardation at low speeds.
—Mike Duff, Car and Driver, 30 June 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retardation
Noun
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Related Articles Domestic manufacturers added 10,000 jobs last month, despite a 1,200-person decline at apparel factories.—
Evan Clark,
Footwear News,
27 Mar. 2025
-
The bolívar has lost 50% of its value since the days leading up to Donald Trump’s presidential inauguration, with a significant portion of that decline occurring this week after the U.S. administration announced a 25% tariff on countries purchasing Venezuelan oil and gas products.—
Antonio Maria Delgado,
Miami Herald,
27 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The good news, Andersen said, is that emissions from buildings have stopped increasing for the first time since 2020 when the global pandemic forced a slowdown in construction.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
20 Mar. 2025
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While that can hurt financial companies that are sensitive to economic slowdown concerns, insurance stocks are seen as a defensive play due to their ability to increase their premiums and lower the cost of claims.—
Hakyung Kim,
CNBC,
19 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The Chargers looked past Quentin Johnston’s 13 career drops at TCU and took him in the first round.—
Daniel Popper,
New York Times,
26 Mar. 2025
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That could be in the range of the biggest drop in sales in the company’s history, nearly twice the drop during the early months of the pandemic, when factories and showrooms were closed due to stay-at-home orders.—
Chris Isidore,
CNN Money,
26 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The IndyCar race at Thermal witnessed a huge slump in viewership figures, dropping by nearly 50 percent on Sunday on FOX Sports 1.—
Paul Du Quenoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Mar. 2025
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The launch comes as Tesla has seen EV sales slump in Europe, blamed on Musk's support for far-right politicians, and the brand has been targeted by protesters in the United States over his spearheading of sweeping cuts to the federal government.—
Pesha Magid,
USA Today,
26 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Retardation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retardation. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.
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