Thesaurus results for SLACKENING

slackening 1 of 2

adjective

as in softening

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slackening

2 of 2

verb

present participle of slacken

as in loosening

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

as in slowing

to cause to move or proceed at a less rapid pace drivers need to slacken their speed as they approach the sharp curve

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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 slackening

Verb

Still further downstream the channel broadens out, and the slackening current has deposited débris and deadheads galore. — Harry H. Edel, Outdoor Life, 19 Aug. 2026 Another factor was the slackening appeal of industrial companies, which had long absorbed the greatest number of young graduates. — Literary Hub, 15 May 2026 Hammers tapped slackening fibers and instead of the pleasant overtones of a major scale, a nauseating cacophony swelled from the instrument’s wooden belly. — Sasha Geffen, Pitchfork, 21 Jan. 2026 There was still a risk of more flash flooding and mudslides Friday despite slackening rain around Los Angeles, the National Weather Service warned. — Ty Oneil, Arkansas Online, 27 Dec. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for slackening

Adjective

Lead—dense but yielding, silvery but ashen, handy but deadly—was long used for this purpose.

— Kyle Devine, Longreads, 14 July 2026
After soaking in the salad for a while, the raisins plumped and swelled, adding a yielding explosivity.

— Cooking Editor, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026

Definition of yielding

Verb

So will a flood of 401(k) money, thanks to loosening rules about what investments belong in Americans’ retirement accounts.

— Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 20 Aug. 2026
El Dorado County supervisors took a step toward loosening controversial regulations on vacation properties like Airbnbs and Vrbo rentals on the county’s west slope.

— Haley Parsley August 20, Sacbee.com, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of loosening

Verb

Firefighters in Nevada were making progress in slowing a fire that forced thousands to evacuate in Reno over the weekend after flames spread dangerously close to densely populated neighborhoods.

— John Seewer, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026
The interest in secondary luxe shopping shows no signs of slowing down, either.

— Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of slowing

Verb

How to align yourself for better braking Just like a car, your body’s braking system requires proper alignment to evenly distribute the absorption of force.

— Dana Santas, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026
Many advanced driver-assistance systems, or ADAS, can control a vehicle’s speed, braking and steering using cameras, sensors and/or mapping data.

— Michael Wayland, CNBC, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of braking

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slackened

slackening

slackens

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“Slackening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slackening. Accessed 28 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of slackening

adjective

verb

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