slack

Meanings

• dust consisting of a mixture of small coal fragments and coal dust and dirt that sifts out when coal is passed over a sieve
• a noticeable deterioration in performance or quality
  • "a gradual slack in output"
• a stretch of water without current or movement
  • "suddenly they were in a slack and the water was motionless"
• a soft wet area of low-lying land that sinks underfoot
• the quality of being loose (not taut)
  • "he hadn't counted on the slackness of the rope"
• a cord or rope or cable that is hanging loosely
  • "he took up the slack"
• avoid responsibilities and work, be idle
• be inattentive to, or neglect
  • "He slacks his attention"
• release tension on
  • "slack the rope"
• make less active or fast
  • "He slackened his pace as he got tired"
• become slow or slower
• make less active or intense
• become less in amount or intensity
• cause to heat and crumble by treatment with water
  • "slack lime"
• not tense or taut
  • "slack and wrinkled skin"
  • "slack sails"
  • "a slack rope"
• flowing with little speed as e.g. at the turning of the tide
  • "slack water"
• lacking in rigor or strictness
  • "slack in maintaining discipline"

Synonyms

abate, die away, drop-off, falling off, falloff, lax, let up, loose, mire, morass, quag, quagmire, relax, slack off, slack up, slack water, slacken, slackness, slake, slow, slow down, slow up, slump