Don't slacken your pace now! You're almost at the finish line!
Source: tatoeba (8944212)
Slacken
/ˈslæ.kən/
Synonyms for "slacken" (214 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (43)
abateallayalleviateanesthetizeappeasearrestassortmentassuageattemperattenuatebackpedalbackwaterbank the firebatebenumbblockbluntbog downbottle upbrake
Show 20 more words
chastencheckclip the wingscome apartcomposeconfineconstraincontrolcountercheckcurbcushiondamdam updampdampende emphasizede-emphasizedeadendeaden the paindecelerate
Noun(1 words)
Strong matches (64)
Verb(5 words)
degeneratedelaydetaindeterioratedie downdiffusedilutediminishdisimprovedisintegratedisjoindispersedissolve into chaosdownplaydragdraw reindropdulleaseease matters
Show 38 more words
Noun(1 words)
Related words (107)
loosenlose groundlose momentumlose speedlullmake latemeddlemiremitigatemoderatemodulatemollifynumbobstructobtundopposepadpalliateplay downpoultice
Show 73 more words
pour balm intopour oil onreducereduce the temperaturereefregressreinrein inrelapserelaxrelentrelieveremitrepressresistrestrestrainretardretrograderetrogresssalvescatterscotchset backsickenslackslack offslack upslackeningslakeslip backslowslow downslow upslow-upsmothersnubsobersober downsoftensoothestaystiflestopstupesubduesubsidesuppresstake in sailtake the edge offtametapertemperthrottlethrottle downtone downtune downunbendunbraceunderplayunglueunlaxunleashunstickunstrainunstringuntightenuntuneunwindwanewater downweakenworsen
Verb(13 words)
Noun(1 words)
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: relax, abate, abate, allay, alleviate.
- Sentence evidence is available for slacken, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from wordnet, opengloss, moby, derived_reverse, and related lexical sources.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "slacken".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "slacken"
Keep "slacken" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "slacken" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "slacken", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "slacken" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
9 entriesMore specific
9 entriesdemand declinediscipline relaxationenforcement easingloosen beltloosen roperate decreaserule relaxationspeed reductionunfasten buckle
Collocations
6 entriesslacken disciplineslacken enforcementslacken paceslacken progressslacken ropeslacken tension
Inflections
3 entriesDerivations
5 entriesSample sentences
11 total sentences available.
The most precious possession you have in the world is your own people. And for this people, and for the sake of this people, we will struggle and fight, and never slacken, never tire, never lose courage, and never lose faith.
Source: tatoeba (10713479)
Will Australia slacken its immigration rules?
Source: tatoeba (11038876)
Just as the storm reaches its peak, the winds begin to slacken, and the sky starts to brighten.
Source: tatoeba (11996028)
Showing 4 of 11 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "slacken"?
Closest matches include relax, abate, abate, allay, alleviate.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "slacken"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.