slacken
slack|en /sl'ækən/ (slackens slackening slackened)
1 [VERB] V, V n
If something slackens or if you slacken it, it becomes slower, less active, or less intense.
Inflationary pressures continued to slacken last month...
The Conservative government will not slacken the pace of radical reform.
● slackening [N-SING] oft N of n
There was a slackening of western output during the 1930s.
2 [VERB] V, also V n
If your grip or a part of your body slackens or if you slacken your grip, it becomes looser or more relaxed.
Her grip slackened on Arnold's arm...slacken off
[PHRASAL VERB] no passive, V P
If something slackens off, it becomes slower, less active, or less intense. (mainly BRIT)
At about five o'clock, business slackened off.
1 [VERB] V, V n
If something slackens or if you slacken it, it becomes slower, less active, or less intense.
Inflationary pressures continued to slacken last month...
The Conservative government will not slacken the pace of radical reform.
● slackening [N-SING] oft N of n
There was a slackening of western output during the 1930s.
2 [VERB] V, also V n
If your grip or a part of your body slackens or if you slacken your grip, it becomes looser or more relaxed.
Her grip slackened on Arnold's arm...slacken off
[PHRASAL VERB] no passive, V P
If something slackens off, it becomes slower, less active, or less intense. (mainly BRIT)
At about five o'clock, business slackened off.