slacken

[ slak-uhn ]
/ ˈslæk ən /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR slacken ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with or without object)

to make or become less active, vigorous, intense, etc.
to make or become looser or less taut.

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Origin of slacken

First recorded in 1570–80; slack1 + -en1

OTHER WORDS FROM slacken

un·slack·ened, adjectiveun·slack·en·ing, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to slacken

loosen, subside, sag, mitigate, soften, retard, relent, abate, diminish, weaken, slow, slack, relax, ease, loose, reduce, remit, flag, slake, moderate

Example sentences from the Web for slacken

British Dictionary definitions for slacken

slacken
/ (ˈslækən) /

verb (often foll by off)

to make or become looser
to make or become slower, less intense, etc
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