slackening
1
5.6
- noun
- /ˈslækənɪŋ/
- But the slackening of the guilty tension did not lead to Gide's emergence as a specifically homosexual novelist.
Examples
-
The slackening of the rope allowed the boat to drift freely in the water.
-
There was no sudden silence or perceptible slackening of activity as we entered.
Fiction book (1991) -
Our host, noticing the slackening of our interest, showed us to our rooms.
Fiction book (2001) -
There is a general slackening of appetites.
Fiction book (1991) -
In that moment, Nyx felt the slackening of the mages' guard.
Fiction book (1993) -
They hugged, but Beth felt the slackening, the dip.
Fiction book (1996) -
She senses the slackening of his muscles and slumps onto the couch.
Fiction book (2001) -
Sister Gertrude's deep-set eyes had watched her closely as if looking for any defect, any slackening of purpose.
Fiction book (1994) -
Does this reduction in state police representation at the top of the political system signify a slackening of authoritarian control in Vietnam's political system?
Academic text (1992) -
An immitigable highbrow, Eliot was concerned about the slackening of high culture and the diminishing quality of education—concerns that have proved prophetic.
Academic text (2010)
Synonyms
82
2.2
A drop in amount or number
51
3.7
A time when activity or progress becomes slower than usual
26
4.4
A process of becoming smaller in size or amount
13
5.1
A decrease in size, amount, or value
13
2.7
A decrease in how fast something moves or happens
11
3.2
A process that makes a person or thing less strong
8
4.6
A decrease in amount or level, for example moving to a lower job
6
2.7
The process of becoming softer or less firm
6
3.2
A decrease in size, amount, or value
6
3.2
Making a rule or limit less strict so people can do more
4
3.4
Making something less tight or less strict
4
3.8
A decrease in amount, size, or strength
3
6.7
A decrease in size, strength or importance
2
6.0
A gradual decrease in size or strength
1
5.3
A drop in strength or level of something, like noise and excitement
1
6.7
A slow decrease in strength, amount, or intensity
1
5.1
A period when something gets worse
1
6.5
A slow reduction in size or amount done in stages
1
5.2
A slow decrease in size, number, or strength
1
4.9
A state when something is loose rather than tight
1
5.5
Becoming smaller or less over time until almost gone
Making something less tight
Antonyms
How Intense
Surface Forms
Morphology
Etymology
Slackening comes from the simple word slack, which means 'loose', plus -en meaning 'to make' and -ing which turns it into the action. So slackening is the process of something becoming 'loose', less tight, or less strong.