slower

ADJECTIVE

unhurried, lazy

Synonyms

STRONGEST

easy gradual heavy lackadaisical leisurely lethargic moderate passive quiet reluctant sluggish stagnant

STRONG

crawling creeping dawdling delaying deliberate disinclined idle lagging loitering measured plodding postponing procrastinating slack

WEAK

apathetic dilatory dreamy drowsy imperceptible inactive indolent inert laggard leaden listless negligent phlegmatic ponderous remiss sleepy slothful slow-moving snaillike supine tardy torpid tortoiselike

Antonyms

STRONGEST

active complex complicated energetic enthusiastic intricate lively moving

WEAK

busy cognizant fast hurried intelligent on cue on time quick rapid ready smart waiting

ADJECTIVE

behind, late

Synonyms

STRONGEST

dull gradual low moderate sluggish stagnant stiff tame tedious time-consuming

STRONG

delayed detained down hindered impeded lingering off prolonged protracted reduced slack

WEAK

backward behindhand belated conservative dead dilatory draggy inactive long-delayed long-drawn-out overdue sleepy tardy uneventful unproductive unprogressive unpunctual

Antonyms

STRONGEST

active bright exciting interesting lively violent wild

WEAK

busy cognizant fast hurried intelligent on cue on time quick rapid ready smart waiting

ADJECTIVE

unintelligent

Synonyms

STRONGEST

dull dumb limited simple stupid

STRONG

dim

WEAK

backward dense dimwitted dunce imbecile moronic obtuse slow on the uptake thick unresponsive

Antonyms

STRONGEST

bright intelligent sharp smart

WEAK

active busy cognizant fast hurried on cue on time quick rapid ready waiting

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Slower economic growth could further weigh on earnings-per-share growth, especially in 2027.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 15, 2026

Slower speeds on the highway can reduce drag and increase fuel efficiency, and slowing down by even a few miles an hour can save truckers hundreds of dollars a week.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 2, 2026

Slower wage growth makes it harder for services inflation to remain stubbornly high, particularly as housing costs are expected to cool further this year.

From Barron's • Jan. 21, 2026

Slower colonization could delay carbon decomposition and reduce habitat formation for the many species that typically live inside Xylophaga burrows.

From Science Daily • Dec. 28, 2025

Slower for sure, and maybe he’d lost the teeth that made the smile that made the sisters forgive him.

From "Jazz" by Toni Morrison