slacken

/ˈslækən/

Other forms: slackened; slackening; slackens

To slacken is to loosen the tension on or tightness of something. If you slacken the clothesline any more, the clothes will be on the ground next time you hang out the wash.

Slacken, in the "to loosen" sense, can also be used figuratively. Because you have been so responsible, we're going to slacken the rules about curfew on non-school nights and let you stay out an hour later. Slacken also means to slow down or make less active. If you are in a sprint race, you won't want to slacken your pace until after you cross the finish line or you might not win.

Definitions of slacken

1. verb

   become slow or slower
   synonyms: slack, slow, slow down, slow up

   type of:

   weaken

   become weaker
2. verb

   make less active or fast
   “He slackened his pace as he got tired”

   synonyms: relax, slack, slack up

   type of:

   decrease, lessen, minify

   make smaller
3. verb

   become looser or slack
   “the rope slackened”

   type of:

   weaken

   become weaker
4. verb

   make slack as by lessening tension or firmness
   synonyms: remit

   types:

   douse, dowse

   slacken

   type of:

   loose, loosen

   make loose or looser