decelerated
Reduced forward momentum
Decelerated is the past tense of decelerate, meaning to slow down or reduce speed.
The word applies to vehicles, processes, or rates of change: The train decelerated as it approached the station, Economic growth decelerated in the third quarter.
Decelerate is the opposite of accelerate, sharing its slightly technical or formal register.
Reduced velocity
- brakedReduced speed intentionally
- reduced speedLower velocity than before
- coastedMoved on momentum
- downshiftedReduced transmission gear
let up · tapered · glided · cruised · wound down · slackened · moderated · tempered
Reducing speed deliberately
- coastingMoving without active effort
- downshiftingLowering gear or pace
- engine brakingDeceleration via powertrain resistance
- ABSAnti-lock braking system
cruise control · traffic · stopping distance · tailgating · rear-ended · brake lights · highway exit · toll booth
Slowing or delay
- inertiaResistance to altered motion
- drag coefficientMeasure of aerodynamic resistance
- air resistanceForce opposing atmospheric movement
- terminal velocityMaximum speed during freefall
orbital decay · reentry · parachute deployment · damping · impulse · time interval · rate of change
Reduction in pace
- contractionReduction in size
- coolingLosing thermal energy
- recessionProlonged economic decline
- downturnEconomic decline period
stagnation · market correction · tightening · austerity · pullback · retrenchment · soft landing · tapering
Reduced velocity
- eased upReduced intensity or pressure
- backed offWithdrew from confrontation
- cooled offLost warmth or temper
- dialed backLessened in degree
scaled back · wound down · ran out of gas · hit pause · regrouped · reassessed · plateaued · leveled off
slowed
Reduced velocity
- brakedReduced speed intentionally
- reduced speedLower velocity than before
- coastedMoved on momentum
downshifted · let up · tapered · glided · cruised · wound down · slackened · moderated · tempered · checked
braking
Reducing speed deliberately
- coastingMoving without active effort
- downshiftingLowering gear or pace
- engine brakingDeceleration via powertrain resistance
ABS · cruise control · traffic · stopping distance · tailgating · rear-ended · brake lights · highway exit · toll booth · speed bump
retardation
Slowing or delay
- inertiaResistance to altered motion
- drag coefficientMeasure of aerodynamic resistance
- air resistanceForce opposing atmospheric movement
terminal velocity · orbital decay · reentry · parachute deployment · damping · impulse · time interval · rate of change
slowdown
Reduction in pace
- contractionReduction in size
- coolingLosing thermal energy
- recessionProlonged economic decline
downturn · stagnation · market correction · tightening · austerity · pullback · retrenchment · soft landing · tapering · inflation control
slowed down
Reduced velocity
- eased upReduced intensity or pressure
- backed offWithdrew from confrontation
- cooled offLost warmth or temper
dialed back · scaled back · wound down · ran out of gas · hit pause · regrouped · reassessed · plateaued · leveled off · stabilized
- time wordsminute, hour, day, now, soon
- slowed downbraked, reduced speed, slackened, throttled, retarded
- circulationblood, circulation, arteries, veins, bloodstream
deceleratedaccelerated
Increased in velocity
sped up · quickened · picked up speed · hastened · revved up
deceleratedaccelerated
Increased in velocity
sped up · quickened · intensified · ramped up · escalated
decelerate, deceleration, decelerating, decelerates, decelerator, decelerations, decelerators