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slowing

slowing

13 2.7
A decrease in how fast something moves or happens
  • noun
  • /ˈsloʊɪŋ/
translation icon : ralentización
  • Age-related generalized slowing is now believed to exert much of its effect through working memory (Salthouse, 1994a).
  • slowing of growth
  • significant slowing
  • slowing in the rate

We're no longer in need of slowing the spread of the virus.

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Examples

  • The slowing of traffic during rush hour can lead to significant delays for commuters.

  • Partial protection seems to result in a slowing of the overall effect.

  • The Indian Muslim population doubles every 25 years, and there is no sign of this slowing.

    Academic text (2002)
  • Any significant slowing of economic growth rates in Malaysia or Indonesia would also increase Singapore's vulnerability.

    Academic text (2001)
  • Decreases in the myelin sheath cause slowing of the conduction of electrical impulses in older neurons.

    Academic text (2012)
  • The doctor explained that a slowing of the heart rate can indicate a serious health issue.

  • The team noticed a slowing in their progress after the new rules were implemented.

Synonyms

decrease
vsslowing
84 2.2

A drop in amount or number

is the narrower sense focused only on speed or pace reduction
slowdown
vsslowing
53 3.7

A time when activity or progress becomes slower than usual

refers to the basic concept of a reduction in rate rather than timing
deceleration
vsslowing
10 5.5

A slowing down of speed or rate of change

is the general idea of reducing rate rather than the specific act
slowness
vsslowing
5 1.1

A state when something moves or happens less quickly than usual

refers to a reduction in rate or pace rather than the resulting slow state
lessening
vsslowing
4 3.8

A decrease in amount, size, or strength

narrows that idea to reductions in speed, rate, or pace
retardation
vsslowing
1 7.7

A slowing down that makes progress take longer

is the simple notion of a reduction in pace or rate
tapering off
vsslowing
1 5.5

Becoming smaller or less over time until almost gone

refers to a reduction in speed or rate rather than nearing zero
dwindling
vsslowing
1 5.2

A slow decrease in size, number, or strength

is specifically about reducing speed, rate, or pace rather than general decline
decrement
vsslowing
  • Specialized
1 7.7

A small reduction in an amount or number

is the general event of reducing speed or rate rather than its measured amount
slackening
vsslowing
1 5.6

A change when something becomes less tight, strong, or intense

centres specifically on lowering pace or speed rather than looseness
throttling
vsslowing
  • Specialized
1 6.6

The slowing of data by an internet company on purpose

is the broad concept of reducing rate or pace across contexts
damping
vsslowing
1 5.3

A drop in strength or level of something, like noise and excitement

is focused on lowering rate or speed rather than general intensity
decreasing
vsslowing
  • Specialized
4.9

Becoming slower or softer in music

is a broad reduction in pace or rate outside the specific musical sense
rallentando
vsslowing
  • Specialized
9.9

Gradually make the music slower

is the general reduction in rate not limited to musical tempo
ritardando
vsslowing
  • Specialized
8.9

Gradually play the music more slowly

is a broader term for any reduction in speed or pace
calando
vsslowing
  • Specialized
9.9

Gradually becoming slower and softer in sound

focuses only on reduction in speed or rate, not volume
tapering
vsslowing
6.5

A slow reduction in size or amount done in stages

is about reducing rate or pace specifically rather than staged reduction

Antonyms

acceleration
  • Specialized
27 3.7

A faster speed at which something happens or grows

1 3.6

An increase in speed that makes something happen faster

How Fast

halt
109 2.3
slowdown
53 3.7
slowing
13 2.7
deceleration
10 5.5

Surface Forms

slowing singular
slowings plural

Morphology

slowing = slow (transparent) = slow + ing

The noun is formed directly from the verb 'slow' with the productive '-ing' nominalization/gerundial suffix; the meaning is directly derived and obvious to learners.

Etymology

Slowing comes from the old English word slow, which meant 'not quick', so picture a car easing off the gas and things that begin to move more slowly. So, Slowing means a 'reduction in speed' or pace.