retardant

adjective

re·​tar·​dant ri-ˈtär-dᵊnt How to pronounce retardant (audio)
Synonyms of retardantnext
: serving or tending to retard
a growth-retardant substance
retardant noun

Examples of retardant in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Crews began early Saturday dropping water and retardant all around the fire by air. ABC News, 4 Apr. 2026 The Daniel’s Mill, which opened as a thread manufacturer in the Civil War era, requires the most work because one of its subsequent owners manufactured fire retardant paint, a process that contaminated the rafters, support beams, flooring and more. Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 2 Apr. 2026 The analyst added that fire retardant demand is likely to grow in 2026, based on some early signs at the start of the fire season. Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 31 Mar. 2026 For example, costumes had to be recreated using more fire-retardant fabrics, and Beetz’s famous head of hair needed its own precautionary measures. Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 25 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for retardant

Word History

First Known Use

1642, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of retardant was in 1642

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Cite this Entry

“Retardant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/retardant. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

retardant

adjective
re·​tar·​dant ri-ˈtärd-ᵊnt How to pronounce retardant (audio)
: serving or tending to retard
flame-retardant fabrics

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