Synonyms

decelerate

American

[dee-sel-uh-reyt] / diˈsɛl əˌreɪt /

Also deaccelerate

verb (used with object)

to decrease the velocity of.

He decelerates the bobsled when he nears a curve.
to slow the rate of increase of.

efforts to decelerate inflation.

verb (used without object)

to slow down.

The plane decelerated just before landing.

decelerate British

/ diːˈsɛləˌreɪt /

verb

to slow down or cause to slow down

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Conjugated Forms

Present

Past

Future

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.

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