slacken

[ slak-uhn ]

verb (used with or without object)

1. to make or become less active, vigorous, intense, etc.

   Synonyms: abate, slack, loosen, relax

2. to make or become looser or less taut.

   Synonyms: abate, slack, loosen, relax

   Antonyms: tense, tighten

slacken

/ ˈslækən /

verb

1. to make or become looser
2. to make or become slower, less intense, etc

Other Words From

• un·slackened adjective
• un·slacken·ing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of slacken¹

First recorded in 1570–80; slack ¹ + -en ¹

Example Sentences

Last year — amid a stagnating economy and slackening labor market — it reached record highs.

From Los Angeles Times

It was only by goal number 10 that the pace slackened.

From BBC

For Congress to even contemplate a slackening of the regulation that already exists is nothing short of absurd.

From Los Angeles Times

No breed stood out, and all were bested on the same tests by wolves and coyotes-perhaps, the study's authors say, because domestication slackened the evolutionary pressure for a sharp olfactory sense to find food.

From Science Magazine

Having a strong sense of smell can be metabolically costly, Bird notes, so it’s possible that domestication and reliance on humans for food slackened the evolutionary pressure to maintain such a sharp olfactory edge.

From Science Magazine

Related Words

• abate
• diminish
• loosen
• mitigate
• relent
• retard
• sag
• soften
• subside
• weaken