slackens

abate decrease diminish dodge drop off dwindle ease ease off featherbed flag goldbrick goof off idle lax lay back lessen let up lie down on job loose moderate neglect reduce relax release shirk slack off slow down taper tire untighten wane

stiffen tighten

abate diminish loosen mitigate relent retard sag soften subside weaken

ease flag loose moderate reduce relax remit slack slake slow temper

let up untighten

enlarge extend grow increase intensify irritate prolong rise tighten

agitate excite forward strengthen