slack 1 of 3

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slack

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noun

1
as in latitude
an allowable margin of freedom or variation our boss doesn't cut us any slack when it comes to being back from lunch on time

Synonyms & Similar Words

2
as in slackness
the extent to which something hangs or dips below a straight line take up the slack of a rope

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3

slack

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verb

as in to loosen
to make less taut the skipper ordered the crew to slack off the sheets on the mainsail

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word slack different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of slack are lax, neglectful, negligent, and remiss. While all these words mean "culpably careless or indicative of such carelessness," slack implies want of due or necessary diligence or care.

slack workmanship

When might lax be a better fit than slack?

While in some cases nearly identical to slack, lax implies a blameworthy lack of strictness, severity, or precision.

a reporter lax about accurate quotation

When could neglectful be used to replace slack?

The words neglectful and slack can be used in similar contexts, but neglectful adds a more disapproving implication of laziness or deliberate inattention.

a society callously neglectful of the poor

In what contexts can negligent take the place of slack?

While the synonyms negligent and slack are close in meaning, negligent implies inattention to one's duty or business.

negligent about writing a note of thanks

When is it sensible to use remiss instead of slack?

The synonyms remiss and slack are sometimes interchangeable, but remiss implies blameworthy carelessness shown in slackness, forgetfulness, or neglect.

had been remiss in their familial duties

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of slack
Adjective
Fernandes has no right to seize upon a slack backpass and lob Kelleher from about 40 yards out. Carl Anka, The Athletic, 7 Apr. 2024 But, as our offices become more mobile, and our tether to a single home base becomes increasingly slack, these rules have changed. Zachary Weiss, Vogue, 21 Oct. 2024
Noun
United’s surgical entrance and exit to and from Asia reflected an acknowledgement by executives that there could be no excess slack to timelines. Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 31 May 2025 Systems re-route, and other veins will pick up the slack. Laura Neilson, Vogue, 30 May 2025
Verb
Munn, 44, caught both slack and praise from social media followers after sharing a series of photos of her 3-year-old son, Malcolm, walking down the street in New York City without shoes. Tracy Wright, FOXNews.com, 28 Apr. 2025 After a few months, that arrangement collapsed — the woman accused Pope of slacking and damaging her property — and Pope went to stay with friends, back in Houston, sleeping in a van on their property. Ian Frisch, Curbed, 9 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for slack
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slack
Adjective
  • Summer in New Jersey means long, lazy days at its famous beaches.
    Rachel Chang, AFAR Media, 2 June 2025
  • Dresses should feel effortless but not lazy, and easy to wear all day.
    Kelsey Glennon, Travel + Leisure, 31 May 2025
Adjective
  • Everything has to be centred on them, perhaps with a flexible back three with three attacking midfielders: Havertz as a false nine, Musiala half left, Wirtz half right.
    Philipp Lahm, New York Times, 6 June 2025
  • The spacious, luminous cabin measures 800 cubic feet with a 6-foot-5-inch ceiling, comfortably accommodating four or more passengers in a luxurious, flexible layout.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 5 June 2025
Noun
  • As governor, Kehoe enjoys wide latitude to set the parameters of the special session.
    Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 27 May 2025
  • In Miami, which is only about two degrees north of the Tropical latitudes, sunset on May 26 is at 8:05 p.m.
    Jesse Emspak, Space.com, 26 May 2025
Verb
  • The ruling Wednesday evening marked the latest setback for Apple in its long-running legal battle with Epic Games, which first sued the iPhone maker in 2020 in an attempt to force Apple to loosen its grip on purchases in apps that utilize its iOS operating system.
    Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 5 June 2025
  • Stir in chicken stock and wine, scraping bottom of pan to loosen any browned bits.
    Ann Taylor Pittman, Southern Living, 5 June 2025
Adjective
  • In August 2023, using the FWC’s report on the crash, prosecutors initially charged Pino with only three counts of misdemeanor careless boating.
    Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 23 May 2025
  • Being a careless jackass but also irresistibly charming is a tough needle to thread.
    Staff Author Published, EW.com, 22 May 2025
Adjective
  • After an afternoon strolling through Historic Georgetown, come back to the hotel for a quick change and a pre-dinner drink at Eliza’s, the relaxed, open-air waterfront bar at the back of the property.
    Lydia Mansel, Southern Living, 7 June 2025
  • The garden level features a private patio with an outdoor kitchenette, while sliding glass doors connect a relaxed seating area off the home’s secondary kitchen to a rear garden with a mudroom and bike storage.
    Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 6 June 2025
Adjective
  • Tips for Choosing the Right Outdoor Furniture Cover Size An outdoor furniture cover size that’s too large can cause the cover to come loose from your furniture during storms or windy conditions, while a cover that’s too small won’t fit securely on the furniture.
    Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 30 May 2025
  • Entering the final year of his contract, which carries a $4.5 million annual average value, Marchment could shake loose as a result of Dallas opting to make some difficult budgetary choices this summer.
    Harman Dayal, New York Times, 30 May 2025
Noun
  • But expect to see this kind of thing happen more and more in the leak space and become more and more convincing as a result.
    Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 1 June 2025
  • Staff and administration buildings were hit, and barracks with beds, bathrooms and dining spaces were torn apart.
    Gael Langdon, Arkansas Online, 1 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Slack.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slack. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

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