1
as in lazy
failing to give proper care and attention
a building contractor known mainly for his firm's slack workmanship and slipshod construction
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in flexible
not bound by rigid standards
slack supervision on the project
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in loosened
not tightly fastened, tied, or stretched
left the ropes slack
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
2
3
as in pants
slacks plural
an outer garment covering each leg separately from waist to ankle
she prefers wearing slacks instead of a dress
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of slack
Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 17 Sep. 2025
Oscar Bobb seized on a slack pass and led a counter-attack with Haaland and Reijnders on either side.
—Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2025
Paul Elie, New Yorker, 5 Jan. 2026
This interpretation of the events pledges fealty to the source material, sometimes at the expense of character development, but the film’s all-star cast is more than equipped to pick up the slack.
—Lia Beck, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Dec. 2025
Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 7 Oct. 2025
The Amazon rainforest could wither into a savanna; coral reefs could bleach ghost-white; a major current in the Atlantic Ocean might go slack and fail to deliver warmth to Europe, turning Scotland into Siberia.
—Gregory Barber, Quanta Magazine, 15 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for slack
Adjective
For months, Wall Street commentators have fretted that the artificial intelligence boom looks like a bubble, with capital spending – which some analysts estimate could reach $3 trillion by 2028 – fattening a few mega-cap firms, while lower-income workers suffer from a slack labor market.
—Noun
The yearbook—Prevost was the editor—shows him in a dress shirt and striped slacks, a slight young man with thick black hair and sideburns, singing enthusiastically with a group of students, one of whom plays an accordion.
—Verb
Conventional mooring setups can easily become overextended or slack as levels shift, forcing operators to perform manual readjustments or face operational risks.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for slack
Adjective
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Saturday morning appeared more like a lazy weekday morning at SMF — plenty of curbside pickup spaces and ticketing agents offering extra attention — than the frontline of a nationwide transportation crunch.—
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It’s made with a soft, cozy knit, but the sleek silhouette keeps it from veering into lazy-day territory.—
Adjective
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Gently clean the seal regularly baking soda or dish soap to remove mold and keep it flexible.—
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With more than $2 million raised through crowdfunding, Zero Zero Robotics says AQUA has drawn strong interest from watersport enthusiasts looking for a more durable and flexible aerial filming tool.—
Adjective
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Next, carefully remove the bowl from the microwave and use a microfiber cloth to wipe away all the loosened grime.—
Noun
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But lawmakers have not formally declared war since World War II, granting presidents broad latitude to act unilaterally.—
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Still, when considering NOAA's aurora view line, the northern lights are most visible in higher-latitude regions.—
Verb
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The acidic properties of this inexpensive, nontoxic, and eco-friendly household cleaner help to break down grease, loosen dried-on food, and neutralize funky odors.—
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Instead of stimulating the brain, alcohol slows it down and loosens inhibitions.—
Adjective
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The driver of the truck was cited for careless driving; the vehicle was not equipped with chains, but chains were not required under state law in Friday morning’s conditions, according to Colorado State Patrol.—
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Drug, alcohol, careless living.—
Adjective
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Other reviewers appreciate the sweater’s relaxed silhouette that drapes nicely without looking baggy.—
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Cate Blanchett is the queen of a relaxed, textured bob.—
Adjective
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Last year, Anderson stuck with a soft glam look and left her hair down in natural, loose waves.—
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Secure loose outdoor items and adjust plans as necessary so you're not caught outside.—
Cite this Entry
“Slack.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slack. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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