as in loosened
not tightly fastened, tied, or stretched
slackened lines
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in relaxed
to make less taut
you'll need to slacken the rope a bit to get it free of that post
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in slowed
to cause to move or proceed at a less rapid pace
drivers need to slacken their speed as they approach the sharp curve
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of slackened
Matthew Villafane, CBS News, 19 June 2026
Pumping in recent years has slackened to an average of 705,000 acre-feet.
—Allen Best, Denver Post, 14 June 2026
Contributors tried their hand at the remainder, but with so few implications left, many people drifted away; Tao’s updates slackened from their near-daily cadence to once every few weeks.
—Quanta Magazine, 8 June 2026
The year before, the e-commerce platform eliminated 500 jobs, or about 4 percent of its personnel, after online spending slackened post-pandemic.
—Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 27 Feb. 2026
And while Braum’s has recently slackened its former rule of not venturing 300 miles from the farm (that number is now 330 miles), Beuchaw says the company does not plan to inch out any further.
—Jenna Thompson, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2025
The potential for sharp, disputatious cultural criticism has arguably slackened.
—David Remnick, New Yorker, 2 Sep. 2025
Verb
Friday night weather The ferociously high winds that moved through the region Thursday have since slackened, but breezy conditions will linger through the weekend.
—Matthew Villafane, CBS News, 19 June 2026
Pumping in recent years has slackened to an average of 705,000 acre-feet.
—Allen Best, Denver Post, 14 June 2026
Contributors tried their hand at the remainder, but with so few implications left, many people drifted away; Tao’s updates slackened from their near-daily cadence to once every few weeks.
—Quanta Magazine, 8 June 2026
The year before, the e-commerce platform eliminated 500 jobs, or about 4 percent of its personnel, after online spending slackened post-pandemic.
—Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 27 Feb. 2026
And while Braum’s has recently slackened its former rule of not venturing 300 miles from the farm (that number is now 330 miles), Beuchaw says the company does not plan to inch out any further.
—Jenna Thompson, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2025
The potential for sharp, disputatious cultural criticism has arguably slackened.
—David Remnick, New Yorker, 2 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slackened
Adjective
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For now, though, Detroit’s automakers are leaning into the lucre that comes from selling millions of fossil-fuel vehicles in a rare moment of loosened regulation.—
Bloomberg,
Oc Register,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Next, carefully remove the bowl from the microwave and use a microfiber cloth to wipe away all the loosened grime.—
Maria Sabella,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Not yet aware of her injury, Simms slowed and asked a man on the side of the road if her tires were still in good shape.—
Nathan Pilling,
Kansas City Star,
19 June 2026
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The suspect slowed down nearly immediately after but continued to drive away from police.—
Matthew Rodriguez,
CBS News,
19 June 2026
Adjective
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The pace of rumors concerning Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s pending wedding exploded this week, helped in large part by a big-city mayor with loose lips.—
Lisa Gutierrez,
Kansas City Star,
20 June 2026
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When Díaz underwent the procedure to remove loose bodies from his elbow in late April, the Dodgers eyed a post-All-Star break return.—
Maddie Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
20 June 2026
Verb
-
The driver of a Ford Escape steered to the right and braked hard but was unable to avoid a collision with the Kia in the right shoulder and right lane area of the highway, according to the warrant affidavit.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
9 June 2026
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This is motorized like the rear seats, and supports pulling 750kg unbraked or a generous 2,400kg braked.—
James Morris,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Slackened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slackened. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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