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hit the brakes

VERB

slow

Synonyms

STRONGEST

abate curb curtail decelerate decrease diminish hinder impede lag lessen moderate reduce relax retard slacken stall temper

STRONG

brake check choke detain loiter mire postpone procrastinate qualify quiet reef regulate stunt

WEAK

anchor it back-water bog down cut back cut down ease off ease up embog hold back hold up keep waiting let down flaps lose speed lose steam reduce speed rein in set back wind down

Antonyms

STRONGEST

advance agitate aid allow assist develop encourage enlarge excite expand extend facilitate forward further grow help increase lengthen prolong push raise strengthen

STRONG

accelerate do expedite liberate release

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The company said the vehicle had hit the brakes, reducing the car’s speed from 17 mph to 6 mph at the time of impact.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 30, 2026

The maker of the 911 sports car has seen profits collapse due to plunging Chinese sales, US tariffs, and a costly decision to hit the brakes on its troubled electric transition.

From Barron's • May 8, 2026

By 2021, Gray was burned out from the commute and was looking to hit the brakes.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 27, 2026

A fundraiser aimed at keeping Mickey Rourke housed has hit the brakes temporarily after the Oscar-nominated actor rejected more than $100,000 from fans and supporters earlier this week.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 8, 2026

I got scared and hit the brakes and we both jerked forward.

From "Dead End in Norvelt" by Jack Gantos

hit the brakes

Example Sentences

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