retard

1.

/rəˈtɑrd/

cause to move more slowly or operate at a slower rate

2.

/ˈrɪtɑrd/

a person of subnormal intelligence

Other forms: retarded; retarding; retards

To retard something is to slow it down. A lack of fresh fruit and vegetables can retard the growth of a young child.

This word should be used with a lot of caution. Using this word to describe a person is considered offensive and should be avoided. It is often a harmless word when used as a verb. While skiing, a heavy, bulky jacket could retard your progress down the mountain. Keeping a plant out of sunlight would retard its growth.

Definitions of retard (/rəˈtɑrd/)

1. verb

   cause to move more slowly or operate at a slower rate
   “This drug will retard your heart rate”

   types:

   deaden

   lessen the momentum or velocity of

   type of:

   decelerate, slow down

   reduce the speed of
2. verb

   lose velocity; move more slowly
   synonyms: decelerate, slow, slow down, slow up

   types:

   slow, slow down, slow up

   cause to proceed more slowly

   delay, detain, hold up

   cause to be slowed down or delayed

   bog, bog down

   cause to slow down or get stuck

   clog, constipate

   impede with a clog or as if with a clog

   stonewall

   engage in delaying tactics or refuse to cooperate

   catch

   delay or hold up; prevent from proceeding on schedule or as planned

   stall

   deliberately delay an event or action

   buy time

   act so as to delay an event or action in order to gain an advantage

   type of:

   decrease, diminish, fall, lessen

   decrease in size, extent, or range
3. verb

   slow the growth or development of
   “The brain damage will retard the child's language development”

   synonyms: check, delay

   types:

   dampen

   check; keep in check (a fire)

   delay, detain, stay

   stop or halt

   type of:

   alter, change, modify

   cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
4. verb

   be delayed
   type of:

   be

   have the quality of being; (copula, used with an adjective or a predicate noun)