slacken
Reduce the tension
To slacken is to become or make less tight, tense, or vigorous.
A rope slackens when tension releases.
Pace slackens when you slow down.
The wind slackened toward evening.
He slackened his grip on the steering wheel.
Slacken often implies easing off from a previous intensity: Demand has slackened since the holidays.
Lacking in speed
- brakeDevice to slow motion
- downshiftChange to lower gear
- decreaseBecome or make smaller
- retardSlow or hinder
moderate · lag · taper · abate · ease off · let up · wind down · coast
Make smaller in degree
- lessenReduce in degree
- decreaseBecome or make smaller
- dwindleDecrease gradually over time
- waneDecrease gradually
subside · decline · abate · taper · ebb · fade · weaken · flag
Become less tense
- unwindRelease accumulated tension
- reposePeaceful stillness or calm
- leisureFree time for relaxation
- downtimePeriod of non-operation
respite · breather · pause · lull · break · ease up · take it easy · decompress
Undo a fastening
- unfastenRelease from attachment
- releaseTo let go
- detachTo separate from
- disengageBreak free from attachment
unravel · unleash · unclasp · unhook · unbuckle · unstrap · unpin · free
Failure to exercise care
- remissnessCulpable lack of care
- carelessnessInattention causing mistakes
- inattentionLack of focus
- oversightSupervision or inadvertent omission
dereliction · sloppiness · leniency · permissiveness · complacency · shirk · neglect · let slide
slow
Lacking in speed
retard · moderate · lag · taper · abate · ease off · let up · wind down · coast · idle
reduce
Make smaller in degree
wane · subside · decline · abate · taper · ebb · fade · weaken · flag · drop off
relax
Become less tense
downtime · respite · breather · pause · lull · break · ease up · take it easy · decompress · idle
untie
Undo a fastening
disengage · unravel · unleash · unclasp · unhook · unbuckle · unstrap · unpin · free · disentangle
negligence
Failure to exercise care
- remissnessCulpable lack of care
- carelessnessInattention causing mistakes
- inattentionLack of focus
oversight · dereliction · sloppiness · leniency · permissiveness · complacency · shirk · neglect · let slide · drop the ball
- slack offReduce one's effort
- slacking offNeglecting responsibilities deliberately
- pick up the slackCover for underperformance
- picking up the slackAssuming others' unfinished duties
- cut someone some slackRelax your expectations temporarily
- picked up the slackCompensated for deficiencies
slack, slacker, slacks, slacking, slackening, slackly, slackened, slackness, slackens