braking 1 of 2

Definition of brakingnext
as in deceleration
a usually gradual decrease in the pace or level of activity of something there's always a braking in sales after lunch

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

braking

2 of 2

verb

present participle of brake

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of braking
Noun
Avoid sudden braking or acceleration, and be especially cautious on hills or when making turns. Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 15 Feb. 2026 Ease off the accelerator gradually and avoid abrupt braking to prevent skidding. Southern California Weather Report, Oc Register, 14 Feb. 2026 Tektro 4-piston hydraulic brakes with 180mm rotors deliver precise, fade-free braking even on fast descents and steep terrain. New Atlas, 13 Feb. 2026 Ease off the accelerator gradually and avoid abrupt braking to prevent skidding. Southern California Weather Report, Daily News, 11 Feb. 2026 As vehicles become increasingly software-defined and electrified, EMB systems are emerging as a cornerstone of next-generation braking, widely viewed by engineers as one of the most advanced and complete solutions for how cars should stop. Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 8 Feb. 2026 Some vehicles—particularly Hondas, and most notably the hot-selling CR-V—stash the distance sensors responsible for features like automatic emergency braking and radar cruise control behind the badge up front. Adam Ismail, The Drive, 5 Feb. 2026 His car offered dynamic braking with regenerative capabilities, using the motor to slow the car and recharge its battery, a feature that would not be seen in cars for another century. Bill Gourgey, Popular Science, 5 Feb. 2026 But there may be new tactics that could help the drivers, such as running at maximum revs through a corner or even dropping to first gear, the latter a rarity on an F1 track, in a bid to harvest more energy by maximizing engine braking when slowing the car. Luke Smith, New York Times, 30 Jan. 2026
Verb
When the car finally got moving, protesters began throwing obstacles in its path — Lime scooters, bicycles, seemingly anything that might trigger the car’s automatic anti-collision braking system. Evan Minsker, Rolling Stone, 7 Feb. 2026 Unlike modern probes that descend on landing legs, Luna 9 jettisoned its orientation modules during descent and fired a braking engine. Ilya Ferapontov, Scientific American, 5 Feb. 2026 Modern high-speed trains use multiple braking systems. Ben Jones, CNN Money, 26 Jan. 2026 The advice, which calls for gently tapping on the brakes to slow down, only applies to older and certain newer vehicles not equipped with an anti-lock braking system (ABS). Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 22 Jan. 2026 Avoid braking abruptly when driving over a pothole as doing so will compress the vehicle’s suspension and add extra force to the tire. Jim Gorzelany, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026 Avoid making sharp turns or braking suddenly. Jamie Landers, Dallas Morning News, 21 Jan. 2026 Visibility in daytime traffic or after-dark adventures comes courtesy of a 40-lux LED headlight paired with a braking tail-light, plus the e-trike benefits from turn signaling front and back. New Atlas, 16 Jan. 2026 In cars, they’re used to connect the battery to motors, for lights and sensors, for braking systems, airbag controllers, entertainment systems and electric windows. Sam Meredith, CNBC, 31 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for braking
Noun
  • Lower prices at the pump One standout from Friday's report was energy prices, which showed a notable deceleration and helped lower the overall inflation reading, EY-Parthenon senior economist Lydia Boussour said in an email.
    Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 13 Feb. 2026
  • Although the regionalization had led to a deceleration in the growth of shipping costs throughout 2024 as the Everything Store aggressively embarked on its cost-cutting crusade, these expenses kicked back up into high gear throughout the 2025 fiscal year.
    Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 6 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • When traveling during snow or freezing rain, prioritize safety by slowing down.
    Southern California Weather Report, Daily News, 15 Feb. 2026
  • Don’t feel the need to burn yourselves out on a super packed schedule of pricey meals and activities, but instead balance it out with equal parts time spent doing things out and time spent simply slowing down and catching up, which can help for a more manageable budget.
    Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 15 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • The Everrati's left pedal operates pads on discs in the normal fashion, but the motors also give powerful regenerative retardation when the accelerator is lifted.
    Mike Duff, Car and Driver, 18 June 2021
  • The policy of retardation of submarine technology ended right after the beginning of the Anglo-German naval race (marked by the German Naval Laws of 1898 and 1900).
    chicagotribune.com, chicagotribune.com, 28 July 2017
Noun
  • Axios ran these numbers, and calculated the decline in wages as a share of gross domestic income adding up to $12,000; as in, that’s how much less per year the average American is bringing home as a result of this dynamic.
    Jake Angelo, Fortune, 11 Feb. 2026
  • Pacific Islander students and American Indian students were the only two student groups out of 11 total who saw a decline in this metric in the same period.
    Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • But gold prices have been extraordinary volatile, smashing through record highs before posting their biggest single-day drop on record last month.
    John Towfighi, CNN Money, 6 Feb. 2026
  • Sharp drops hit Wall Street on Thursday as technology stocks fell and bitcoin plunged again to roughly half its record price set last fall.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 6 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • More industries are retooling around AI after experiencing slowdowns in their core businesses.
    J.D. Capelouto, semafor.com, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Advertisement Digestive slowdown and constipation Water is essential for moving things through your gastrointestinal system.
    Katharine Gammon, Time, 10 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Braking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/braking. Accessed 17 Feb. 2026.

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