slow 1 of 3

1
2
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

3
4
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

slow

3 of 3

adverb

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

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 slow
Adjective
Joseph can also play the right side, and his presence gives the Canucks flexibility to take it slow with the likes of Tom Willander and Victor Mancini at camp. Thomas Drance, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2025 One instance sees a ghastly spectral soldier filling a stream with all the lost souls of the enemies the player has killed so far, but the battle itself is just a slow walk to the end that’s exhausting to trudge through. Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 22 Aug. 2025
Verb
Mascherano said Friday Messi, who had been slowed by a mild hamstring injury, was staying home to rest and 39-year-old Ustari apparently did the same. Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 24 Aug. 2025 Recent economic reports also show inflation creeping back up and job growth slowing, presenting more potential challenges for the party in power. Zac Anderson, USA Today, 24 Aug. 2025
Adverb
Growth is still slower overall than previous two years Consumer spending, which is the biggest driver of economic activity, rose at an annual rate of 1.4% in the spring. Scott Horsley, NPR, 30 July 2025 Did Trevino’s ball that bounced in the batter’s box opposite Hernández go slower than the one Trevino caught four years ago in Oakland? C. Trent Rosecrans, New York Times, 10 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for slow
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slow
Adjective
  • The event drew thousands of spectators, including the King of Sweden, who watched the building make its 5-km (3.1-mile) journey at a leisurely speed of just 0.5 km (0.31 miles) per hour.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 30 Aug. 2025
  • The leisurely outing for the celebrity couple might be the last before the Chiefs kick off their season against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sept. 5.
    Paulina Dedaj, FOXNews.com, 29 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Ratajkowski has been fighting the stereotype of the dumb model from the beginning of her career.
    Daniel Jackson, Allure, 18 July 2017
  • Ninety nine percent of all NFL players are explicitly not dumb.
    Andy Benoit, The MMQB, 10 July 2017
Adjective
  • In the sleepy world of French regional telecommunications, his methods could be shocking.
    Sam Knight, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2025
  • Box Office Mojo reported a slightly different number at $18.0M, but the film still took the top spot during a relatively sleepy box office weekend.
    Rosa Escandon, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • The parasites get their names from the larvae, which look and act like screws, boring and twisting into their victim's flesh.
    Jon Brodkin, ArsTechnica, 25 Aug. 2025
  • In the early episodes, when everyone’s still getting to know each other, are the conversations boring?
    Scottie Andrew, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Just over a minute later, the SUV was seen on video going under the overpass, then braking.
    Nick Ferraro, Twin Cities, 30 July 2025
  • Unpredictable prices, uncertain markets The piece of equipment that’s stranded in Field’s factory – an electrical resistor that aids braking on an industrial truck – is a daily reminder of just how connected Post Glover and thousands of other American companies are to the rest of the world.
    Dan Horn, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
Adverb
  • As summer slowly melts into fall, the songs that defined the warmer months are coming into clearer view.
    Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2025
  • Richland County is slowly dismantling its UW-Platteville Richland campus, piece by piece.
    Kelly Meyerhofer, jsonline.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Jess: The curds themselves are crispy, but the toast is stupid.
    Jess Fleming, Twin Cities, 22 Aug. 2025
  • The dialogue wasn’t dumbed down and stupid comic book stuff.
    William Earl, Variety, 20 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • He was found dead when first responders arrived about 11 p.m. July 9.
    Kristen Jordan Shamus, Freep.com, 30 Aug. 2025
  • Boise State football’s season isn’t dead in the water just yet.
    Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 29 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Slow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slow. Accessed 4 Sep. 2025.

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