as in deceleration
a usually gradual decrease in the pace or level of activity of something
scientists discovered that they could achieve the retardation of light if they shined it through a variety of substances
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Recent Examples of retardation
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, 28 July 2017
At the end Austen had psychomotor retardation and could barely move.
—Rene Chun, Los Angeles Magazine, 19 June 2017
The criteria were: episodes that last no longer than 2 months, and that do not include suicidal feelings, psychotic symptoms, psychomotor retardation, or feelings of worthlessness.
—Neuroskeptic, Discover Magazine, 15 Mar. 2013
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, 28 July 2017
At the end Austen had psychomotor retardation and could barely move.
—Rene Chun, Los Angeles Magazine, 19 June 2017
The criteria were: episodes that last no longer than 2 months, and that do not include suicidal feelings, psychotic symptoms, psychomotor retardation, or feelings of worthlessness.
—Neuroskeptic, Discover Magazine, 15 Mar. 2013
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retardation
Noun
-
Analysts expect a deceleration in late 2025 or 2026, though guidance keeps rising.—
Jim Edwards,
Fortune,
5 Sep. 2025
-
After successful deceleration and landing burns, B1083 softly touched down on SpaceX's A Shortfall of Gravitas droneship in the Atlantic Ocean about six minutes later.—
Josh Dinner,
Space.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Following on from its second-quarter results, the company maintained its full-year sales growth outlook of a low single-digit year-over-year decline.—
Hugh Cameron,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Sep. 2025
-
At the time, Western Sizzlin had long been in a period of decline, having filed for bankruptcy in 1992.—
Lily Mae Lazarus,
Fortune,
18 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
As traffic increases, inefficient code can cause slowdowns and system crashes.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
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The latest monthly growth data showed there was zero growth in July, compared with the previous month, spurring concerns that a slowdown was setting in.—
Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
18 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
There's also an e-Step button on the dash, which turns on maximum regen braking and may add some friction braking to the mix.—
Jonathan M. Gitlin,
ArsTechnica,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Ease off the accelerator gradually and avoid abrupt braking to prevent skidding.—
Bay Area Weather Report,
Mercury News,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Knee rips and distressing, as well as a drop-sleeve denim moto jacket added some New York attitude to the collection.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
18 Sep. 2025
-
While some tote handles can be too short and cause chafing and others too long and cause discomfort, this bag handle has an 11-inch drop for convenient shoulder wear.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
18 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The late-summer pullback in mortgage rates has been a welcome trend for the housing market, which has been in a slump since 2022, when mortgage rates began climbing from historic lows.—
Nino Paoli,
Fortune,
19 Sep. 2025
-
Southern California’s home-price gains have slowed to a crawl as a three-year sales slump continues.—
Jonathan Lansner,
Oc Register,
19 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Retardation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retardation. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.
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