What Is Another Way to Say “Slow Down”?

Looking for synonyms for slow down? We’ve got you covered!

Here’s a list of other ways to say slow down.

  • Decelerate
  • Reduce speed
  • Slacken
  • Delay
  • Retard
  • Ease off
  • Lessen the pace
  • Moderate
  • Downshift
  • Hinder
  • Taper off
  • Brake
  • Impede
  • Temper
  • Cool down
  • Throttle back
  • Diminish
  • Crawl
  • Dawdle
  • Linger

Want to learn how to say slow down professionally? Keep reading for examples and use cases.

1. Decelerate

Decelerate is used when reducing speed or rate, particularly in a controlled manner.
Example: “The project manager advised the team to decelerate the pace to ensure quality.”

2. Reduce Speed

Reduce speed is appropriate when deliberately slowing down a process or activity.
Example: “To accommodate the changing market conditions, we need to reduce speed in our expansion plans.”

3. Slacken

Slacken is used to describe a decrease in intensity or pace.
Example: “As the deadline approached, it was crucial not to slacken our efforts.”

4. Delay

Delay is suitable when postponing or slowing down an action or process.
Example: “The unexpected issue with the supplier will delay the product launch.”

5. Retard

Retard is used in technical contexts to indicate slowing down progress or development.
Example: “The malfunction in the system retarded the research progress significantly.”

6. Ease off

Ease off is appropriate for gradually reducing effort or intensity.
Example: “After the peak season, the team could ease off and plan for the next quarter.”

7. Lessen the Pace

Lessen the pace is used when reducing the speed or intensity of an activity.
Example: “To maintain accuracy, the workers lessened the pace of the assembly line.”

8. Moderate

Moderate is suitable for making something less extreme or intense.
Example: “The manager had to moderate the pace of work to prevent staff burnout.”

9. Downshift

Downshift is used when shifting to a lower gear or level of activity, especially to reduce stress or demand.
Example: “The company decided to downshift its marketing efforts in response to budget cuts.”

10. Hinder

Hinder is appropriate for causing delay or interruption, slowing progress.
Example: “Lack of clear communication hindered the progress of the project.”

11. Taper off

Taper off is used to describe a gradual decrease in intensity or quantity.
Example: “As the season ended, demand for the product started to taper off.”

12. Brake

Brake is suitable for applying a mechanism to slow or stop movement, often used metaphorically.
Example: “The department had to brake its spending due to budget constraints.”

13. Impede

Impede is used when something slows the progress or movement of someone or something.
Example: “Regulatory hurdles impeded the launch of the new service.”

14. Temper

Temper is appropriate for moderating or softening something.
Example: “The CEO tempered the expansion plans in light of the economic downturn.”

15. Cool down

Cool down is used for reducing intensity or excitement, often after a period of vigorous activity.
Example: “After the product launch, the team had a period to cool down and regroup.”

16. Throttle back

Throttle back is suitable for reducing the speed or intensity of an activity.
Example: “To manage risks, the firm throttled back its investment in the volatile market.”

17. Diminish

Diminish is used when something becomes smaller, less, or lower in intensity.
Example: “Interest in the outdated technology diminished over time.”

18. Crawl

Crawl is appropriate for moving or progressing at an unusually slow rate.
Example: “The data processing crawled due to outdated hardware.”

19. Dawdle

Dawdle is used when taking more time than necessary to do something, often leading to a slower pace.
Example: “The team cannot afford to dawdle on making the critical decision.”

20. Linger

Linger is suitable for staying in a place longer than necessary, often causing delays.
Example: “Discussions on the topic lingered, delaying the meeting’s conclusion.”

Linda Brown