slacken Definition
- 1to become slower or less active
- 2to make something slower or less active
Using slacken: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "slacken" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The rain began to slacken as the storm moved away.
Example
He slackened his pace as he approached the finish line.
Example
The company's profits have slackened in recent months.
Example
She asked him to slacken his grip on her arm.
slacken Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for slacken
- decelerate
- relax
- weaken
- ease up
- slow down
Antonyms for slacken
Phrases with slacken
Example
After the busy season, work at the office tends to slacken off.
Example
After losing his job, he had to slacken his belt and cut back on his spending.
Example
The manager decided to slacken the reins and let her team take more initiative.
Origins of slacken
from Old English 'sleacian', meaning 'to slacken, delay, be remiss'
Summary: slacken in Brief
The verb 'slacken' [ˈslækən] means to become slower or less active, or to make something slower or less active. It can refer to physical movement, as in 'He slackened his pace as he approached the finish line,' or to business activity, as in 'The company's profits have slackened in recent months.' 'Slacken' can also be used in phrases like 'slacken off,' meaning to become less strict or less active, and 'slacken one's belt,' meaning to reduce one's expenses or standard of living.