slackens

VERB

do little or nothing; loosen

Synonyms

WEAK

abate decrease diminish dodge drop off dwindle ease ease off featherbed flag goldbrick goof off idle lax lay back lessen let up lie down on job loose moderate neglect reduce relax release shirk slack off slow down taper tire untighten wane

Antonyms

WEAK

stiffen tighten

VERB

decrease

Synonyms

STRONGEST

abate diminish loosen mitigate relent retard sag soften subside weaken

STRONG

ease flag loose moderate reduce relax remit slack slake slow temper

WEAK

let up untighten

Antonyms

STRONGEST

enlarge extend grow increase intensify irritate prolong rise tighten

STRONG

agitate excite forward strengthen

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.

See Examples For:

slackens

The problem is that the birth-death model tends to exaggerate job creation at turning points in the economy — when growth accelerates or when it slackens off.

From MarketWatch ● Dec. 12, 2025

As the wings begin to generate lift, the rotors’ pace slackens.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 17, 2025

Just when the pace slackens, Crewe deftly flicks the reins, and “The New Life” jolts forward, as with the scandal of Oscar Wilde’s trial.

From Washington Post ● Dec. 29, 2022

But just in case the weather turns very hot or very cold, raising electricity demand, or if renewable energy slackens, Beijing has not given up on coal.

From New York Times ● Nov. 3, 2022

Her grip on her purse slackens and her neck makes a nice curve.

From "Jazz" by Toni Morrison