slacken
[slak-uh n]
- to make or become less active, vigorous, intense, etc.
- to make or become looser or less taut.
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Origin of slacken
Synonyms
See more synonyms for slacken on Thesaurus.com1, 2. relax, loosen, slack, abate.
Antonyms
2. tighten, tense.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for slacken
Contemporary Examples
In the 1990s, his pace began to slacken, and eventually the hits evaporated.
Historical Examples
Nor did she slacken her pace as she drew near the house, she only ran more softly.
Heather and SnowGeorge MacDonald
The storm continued all day, but began to slacken in intensity at sunset.
A Singer from the SeaAmelia Edith Huddleston Barr
Her death did not weaken my resolutions nor slacken my ardour.
The Memoirs of Madame de Montespan, CompleteMadame La Marquise De Montespan
The yachtsman, however, should not slacken them as for scudding.
Boys' Book of Model BoatsRaymond Francis Yates
Nor had the horses any desire to slacken their headlong rush.
The Twins of Suffering CreekRidgwell Cullum
slacken
- to make or become looser
- to make or become slower, less intense, etc
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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
Word Origin and History for slacken
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper