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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in slowing
to cause to move or proceed at a less rapid pace
braked the car sharply when someone pulled out in front of us
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Alex Kalinauckas, New York Times, 14 May 2026
Reduced visibility from fog, rain, snow or dust, along with sensor or windshield interference from droplets, ice or dirt, can obstruct perception, while slippery road surfaces can reduce traction and change braking performance.
—Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 13 May 2026
The three-year FAU/UCF study of 450 seniors in South and Central Florida found that drivers with mild cognitive decline exhibited less control of the gas pedal, took shorter or more fragmented trips, engaged in frequent hard braking, and drove lower average speeds.
—Cindy Krischer Goodman, Miami Herald, 12 May 2026
The fate of automatic emergency braking requirements is now up in the air, too.
—Max Blau, ProPublica, 11 May 2026
Investigators meticulously documented the warning signs that should have alerted the driver to the looming braking problems.
—Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 9 May 2026
Brembo has started mass production of its new Sensify braking system, becoming the first fully fluid-free brake-by-wire setup to reach production cars.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 7 May 2026
Each wheel gets its own actuator, so the system can independently optimize the braking intensity.
—Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 6 May 2026
Ease off the accelerator gradually and avoid abrupt braking to prevent skidding.
—Southern California Weather Report, Daily News, 4 May 2026
Tim Pitt, Robb Report, 18 May 2026
There was also no indication of braking.
—Katie Mather, PEOPLE, 18 May 2026
All those hard braking zones feed energy back into the battery.
—Patrick Iversen, New York Times, 15 May 2026
This prevents the anti-lock braking system (ABS) module from running a brake pad self-adjustment routine that can contribute to the battery drain.
—Hartford Courant, 12 May 2026
Federal officials had estimated that the braking system mandate could prevent more than 8,000 injuries a year.
—Max Blau, ProPublica, 11 May 2026
And because there can only be an electric motor at the rear axle, not the front—supposedly out of fear that new entrant Audi would have too much of an advantage—cars could regenerate just a fraction of the total energy possible under braking.
—Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 11 May 2026
The gauge tipping into low territory was for the air pressure reserve that controlled the braking system, not the oil level, as the driver thought.
—Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 9 May 2026
When Culter switched lanes to get away, the other car matched their lane changes and kept braking, seemingly trying to cause a wreck, Bradley Gross said.
—Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 9 May 2026
Noun
This began with the system changes agreed upon before the Miami Grand Prix to reduce drivers backing off to boost energy harvesting (when the car’s electrical systems recover power under braking and store it in the battery) and to reduce dangerous closing speeds between cars.
—Alex Kalinauckas, New York Times, 14 May 2026
Reduced visibility from fog, rain, snow or dust, along with sensor or windshield interference from droplets, ice or dirt, can obstruct perception, while slippery road surfaces can reduce traction and change braking performance.
—Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 13 May 2026
The three-year FAU/UCF study of 450 seniors in South and Central Florida found that drivers with mild cognitive decline exhibited less control of the gas pedal, took shorter or more fragmented trips, engaged in frequent hard braking, and drove lower average speeds.
—Cindy Krischer Goodman, Miami Herald, 12 May 2026
The fate of automatic emergency braking requirements is now up in the air, too.
—Max Blau, ProPublica, 11 May 2026
Investigators meticulously documented the warning signs that should have alerted the driver to the looming braking problems.
—Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 9 May 2026
Brembo has started mass production of its new Sensify braking system, becoming the first fully fluid-free brake-by-wire setup to reach production cars.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 7 May 2026
Each wheel gets its own actuator, so the system can independently optimize the braking intensity.
—Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 6 May 2026
Ease off the accelerator gradually and avoid abrupt braking to prevent skidding.
—Southern California Weather Report, Daily News, 4 May 2026
Verb
Climbing into the hills of Emilia-Romagna, the Miura SV reveals a balance of speed, body control, and braking ability that feel well-matched.
—Tim Pitt, Robb Report, 18 May 2026
There was also no indication of braking.
—Katie Mather, PEOPLE, 18 May 2026
All those hard braking zones feed energy back into the battery.
—Patrick Iversen, New York Times, 15 May 2026
This prevents the anti-lock braking system (ABS) module from running a brake pad self-adjustment routine that can contribute to the battery drain.
—Hartford Courant, 12 May 2026
Federal officials had estimated that the braking system mandate could prevent more than 8,000 injuries a year.
—Max Blau, ProPublica, 11 May 2026
And because there can only be an electric motor at the rear axle, not the front—supposedly out of fear that new entrant Audi would have too much of an advantage—cars could regenerate just a fraction of the total energy possible under braking.
—Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 11 May 2026
The gauge tipping into low territory was for the air pressure reserve that controlled the braking system, not the oil level, as the driver thought.
—Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 9 May 2026
When Culter switched lanes to get away, the other car matched their lane changes and kept braking, seemingly trying to cause a wreck, Bradley Gross said.
—Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 9 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for braking
Noun
-
In its most recent quarterly results, Microsoft’s closely watched Azure cloud-computing division posted a slight deceleration in growth from the prior quarter.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Do note, though, that the airbag will activate only in frontal accidents and under certain deceleration conditions.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
But a slowing economy and crisis-battered housing market could upend that.—
Chris Lau,
CNN Money,
18 May 2026
-
That means no overheating and no bulky feel slowing you down on a packed schedule.—
Julia Morlino,
Travel + Leisure,
17 May 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
-
Meanwhile, in 2023, at a time when I was exhausted from the seeming futility of constantly writing and talking about it, fascism and the decline of democracy became popular topics in the mainstream media.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 May 2026
-
The announcement comes on the heels of the struggling burger chain reporting its fifth straight quarter of same-store sales declines and rumors of a potential take-private deal led by Nelson Peltz's Trian Fund Management.—
Amelia Lucas,
CNBC,
20 May 2026
Noun
-
Francis took some punishment from Navarro – a few shots from a baseball bat and a drop kick with a trash can.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
15 May 2026
-
Daniella Segura Click the link below for the USA TODAY Network's California June primary voter guide — registration deadline, ballot drop boxes, early voting, and how to track your ballot through Election Day.—
James Ward,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
In the same report, BofA Securities found virtually all money managers are bullish on global economic growth, and only 4% anticipate a hard landing, when economies see a sudden slowdown or even a recession.—
Sarah Min,
CNBC,
19 May 2026
-
While layoffs and hiring slowdowns continue in many sectors, employers in industries like healthcare, skilled trades, logistics and manufacturing are still competing for qualified workers.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
19 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Braking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/braking. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
