slowdown

brake

Device to slow motion

• reduceMake smaller in degree
• easeLack of strain
• decreaseBecome or make smaller

diminish · slacken · taper · moderate · downshift · retard · coast · throttle · cruise · drift

inefficiency

Suboptimal use of resources

• underperformanceFailing to meet expectations
• bottleneckConstriction limiting throughput
• backlogAccumulated unfinished work

lag · shortfall · idle · supply-chain · throughput · capacity · workflow · manufacturing · shutdown · maintenance

congestion

Excessive accumulation causing blockage

• gridlockComplete mutual obstruction
• bottleneckConstriction limiting throughput
• jamCooked fruit spread

backup · snarl-up · tailback · crawl · standstill · rush-hour · chokepoint · logjam · blockage · clog

recession

Prolonged economic decline

• contractionReduction in size
• stagnationAbsence of flow or progress
• declineDecrease or refuse

slump · depression · unemployment · layoffs · austerity · deflation · stagflation · stimulus · recovery · correction

pause

Temporary cessation of activity

• breakInterrupt continuity
• breatherBrief period of rest
• lullTemporary period of quiet

rest · hiatus · intermission · interlude · reprieve · recess · timeout · decompression

• setbacksfailing, back to square one, stuck, losing, stumbles
• slumpsslump, lull, losing streak, cold streak, rut
• obstructionobstruction, delay, roadblock, blockade, barricade
• Tempotempo, a tempo, accelerando, adagio, allegretto
• traffic engineeringtraffic signal, traffic light, traffic control, traffic jam, congestion
• declinesdrop, decline, downtrend, downfall, downslide