slow 1 of 3

adjective

ˈslō How to pronounce slow (audio)
Definition of slownext
1
as in leisurely
moving or proceeding at less than the normal, desirable, or required speed because of the holiday, traffic to the beach was particularly slow slow readers

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2
as in dumb
not having or showing an ability to absorb ideas readily we love our bulldog though he's a little slower than our German shepherd

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3
as in sleepy
lacking in gaiety, movement, or animation a slow day on Wall Street

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4
as in boring
causing weariness, restlessness, or lack of interest the first half of the movie is slow, but then it gets exciting

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slow

2 of 3

verb

as in to brake
to cause to move or proceed at a less rapid pace if you don't slow your delivery down a bit, your speech will be over too soon

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slow

3 of 3

adverb

as in slowly
at a pace that is less than usual, desirable, or expected you need to go slow with this experiment, or you'll make mistakes

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word slow distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of slow are delay, detain, retard, and slacken. While all these words mean "to cause to be late or behind in movement or progress," slow and slacken also imply a reduction of speed, slow often suggesting deliberate intention.

medication slowed the patient's heart rate

In what contexts can delay take the place of slow?

In some situations, the words delay and slow are roughly equivalent. However, delay implies a holding back, usually by interference, from completion or arrival.

bad weather delayed our arrival

When would detain be a good substitute for slow?

The meanings of detain and slow largely overlap; however, detain implies a holding back beyond a reasonable or appointed time.

unexpected business had detained her

Where would retard be a reasonable alternative to slow?

While in some cases nearly identical to slow, retard suggests reduction of speed without actual stopping.

language barriers retarded their progress

When can slacken be used instead of slow?

The synonyms slacken and slow are sometimes interchangeable, but slacken suggests an easing up or relaxing of power or effort.

on hot days runners slacken their pace

How is the word slow distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of slow are delay, detain, retard, and slacken. While all these words mean "to cause to be late or behind in movement or progress," slow and slacken also imply a reduction of speed, slow often suggesting deliberate intention.

medication slowed the patient's heart rate

In what contexts can delay take the place of slow?

In some situations, the words delay and slow are roughly equivalent. However, delay implies a holding back, usually by interference, from completion or arrival.

bad weather delayed our arrival

When would detain be a good substitute for slow?

The meanings of detain and slow largely overlap; however, detain implies a holding back beyond a reasonable or appointed time.

unexpected business had detained her

Where would retard be a reasonable alternative to slow?

While in some cases nearly identical to slow, retard suggests reduction of speed without actual stopping.

language barriers retarded their progress

When can slacken be used instead of slow?

The synonyms slacken and slow are sometimes interchangeable, but slacken suggests an easing up or relaxing of power or effort.

on hot days runners slacken their pace

How is the word slow distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of slow are delay, detain, retard, and slacken. While all these words mean "to cause to be late or behind in movement or progress," slow and slacken also imply a reduction of speed, slow often suggesting deliberate intention.

medication slowed the patient's heart rate

In what contexts can delay take the place of slow?

In some situations, the words delay and slow are roughly equivalent. However, delay implies a holding back, usually by interference, from completion or arrival.

bad weather delayed our arrival

When would detain be a good substitute for slow?

The meanings of detain and slow largely overlap; however, detain implies a holding back beyond a reasonable or appointed time.

unexpected business had detained her

Where would retard be a reasonable alternative to slow?

While in some cases nearly identical to slow, retard suggests reduction of speed without actual stopping.

language barriers retarded their progress

When can slacken be used instead of slow?

The synonyms slacken and slow are sometimes interchangeable, but slacken suggests an easing up or relaxing of power or effort.

on hot days runners slacken their pace

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 slow
Adjective
Impact on interest rates While March's job gains signaled a return to a robust labor market, analysts also pointed to longer-term issues such as slow job creation, a shrinking labor force and a growing share of long-term unemployed workers. —Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026 Many brands ‘suffering from slow sales’ The collapse of Allbirds now has some people asking larger questions about the viability of DTC. —Justin Klawans, TheWeek, 3 Apr. 2026
Verb
Goldman Sachs, Moody’s Analytics and others in recent days have raised their odds of recession in the next 12 months, with a focus on threats from a slowing jobs picture and surging energy costs. —Jeff Cox, CNBC, 2 Apr. 2026 Ease off the accelerator - Step off the gas to slow down the vehicle until the tires find traction. —Kansas City Star Weather Bot, Kansas City Star, 2 Apr. 2026
Adverb
These beautiful salmon bowls start with salmon that's been slow cooked with fresh spring veggies for a tender, never dry, fillet. —Patricia S York, Southern Living, 1 Apr. 2026 The usual method of aging animals — counting rings on teeth or bones — doesn’t work for these slow-growing sharks. —Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 31 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for slow
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slow
  1. leisurely
  2. dumb
  3. sleepy
  4. boring
  5. brake
  6. slowly
  7. stupid
  8. dead
Adjective
  • Many Parisian restaurants are relatively small, so tables fill up quickly and stay filled because dining is a leisurely event, with tables turning over less frequently.
    — Eve Chen, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026
  • By the 1950s Madras print in the United States had become a popular style for Ivy League students, gentleman’s business attire, and leisurely vacation wear.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 31 Mar. 2026
Definition of leisurely
Adjective
  • Rock and pop are often unsophisticated, or downright dumb.
    — Jed Gottlieb, Boston Herald, 26 Mar. 2026
  • Urban infrastructure, after all, is still pretty dumb—forcing robotaxis to be designed around transit systems that are decades old.
    — Nicholas Gordon, Fortune, 26 Mar. 2026
Definition of dumb
Adjective
  • The neighborhood/area Located in the sleepy St James parish in the hills, the lively west coast towns of the island are a mere 10-minute drive, boasting beaches, bars, restaurants, shops, and grocery stores.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Apr. 2026
  • Flower Beds, Perennials, and Ornamentals Herbaceous perennials are likely still pretty sleepy, but fat buds, flowers, and even the start of leaves unfurling are all happening on woodier ornamentals.
    — Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 31 Mar. 2026
Definition of sleepy
Adjective
  • Curry is pure entertainment, and the NBA is a little more boring without him.
    — Sports Columnist, San Francisco Chronicle, 1 Apr. 2026
  • One does detect in Iran hawks a kind of 'will to destruction' and hatred of boring, civilized diplomacy.
    — Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
Definition of boring
Verb
  • And drivers should avoid hard acceleration and braking whenever possible, and skip premium gas if their cars allow it, the magazine said.
    — Matthew Daly, Chicago Tribune, 28 Mar. 2026
  • The rear light flares bright when braking to add visibility for trailing riders and drivers.
    — Erica Zazo, Outside, 27 Mar. 2026
Definition of brake
Adverb
  • In that interaction, forehead-to-forehead with Ayers and then slowly backing away, back to his bench, Hurley never blinked.
    — Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 31 Mar. 2026
  • Drivers were encouraged to drive slowly and carefully on wet roads, according to the weather service.
    — Helen Rummel, AZCentral.com, 31 Mar. 2026
Definition of slowly
Adjective
  • Of course, sometimes the situation is more serious than stupid.
    — Isaac Stanley-Becker, The Atlantic, 31 Mar. 2026
  • The American people are not stupid and will not accept more failure theater from Republicans in Congress.
    — Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 25 Mar. 2026
Definition of stupid
Adjective
  • His reelection in 2025 sparked widespread protests that left at least four people dead, signaling growing tensions between the mostly young population and its aging leader.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 5 Apr. 2026
  • Andrej Stojaković’s putback attempt rolled around the rim before coming to a dead stop on the back of the basket as everyone in the massive football stadium held their breath and waited for gravity to make a call.
    — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 5 Apr. 2026
Definition of dead

Phrases Containing slow

Browse Nearby Words

slovens
slow
slow burn
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Cite this Entry

“Slow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slow. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on slow

Nglish: Translation of slow for Spanish Speakers

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