decelerate

American  

[dee-sel-uh-reyt] / diˈsɛl əˌreɪt /

Also deaccelerate

verb (used with object)

decelerated, decelerating

1. to decrease the velocity of.

   He decelerates the bobsled when he nears a curve.

2. to slow the rate of increase of.

   efforts to decelerate inflation.

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verb (used without object)

decelerated, decelerating

1. to slow down.

   The plane decelerated just before landing.

decelerate British  

/ diːˈsɛləˌreɪt /

verb

1. to slow down or cause to slow down

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Other Word Forms

• deceleration noun
• decelerator noun

Etymology

Origin of decelerate

First recorded in 1895–1900; de- + (ac)celerate

Explanation

Use the verb decelerate when you want to slow down, like when you realize you are missing important moments in life by racing around, trying to do everything yourself. If you make an effort to decelerate, you might be happier — and healthier. Decelerate is the opposite of accelerate, which means "to go faster." Decelerate often describes slowing a vehicle, but it can relate to nearly anything, like a friendship that begins with hanging out nearly every day but decelerates when you move to a new town or get busy with school and sports. It doesn't mean the friendship is ending or over, just that the pace is now a little slower.

Example Sentences

But for fiscal 2026, the company expects same-store sales growth to decelerate to between 2.2% and 2.7%, with the midpoint of that range slightly below the current FactSet consensus of 2.5%.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 12, 2026

"You just decelerate so much before corners," Norris said.

From BBC • Mar. 7, 2026

If its sales meet expectations for the next few quarters, the market should have confidence that its growth won’t decelerate further.

From Barron's • Dec. 17, 2025

“Global growth is forecast to decelerate in the second half of 2025,” said Valdis Dombrovskis, the EU’s top economics official.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 18, 2025

Where virtually all horses decelerate and often drift out as they try to negotiate corners, Seabiscuit was capable of holding a tight line while accelerating dramatically.

From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand