slack 1 of 3

adjective

ˈslak How to pronounce slack (audio)
Definition of slacknext
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

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2
as in flexible
not bound by rigid standards slack supervision on the project

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3
as in loosened
not tightly fastened, tied, or stretched left the ropes slack

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slack

2 of 3

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

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

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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

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slack

3 of 3

verb

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

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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
The worst transition is from a frictionless sprint into slack time or shallow administrative work. — Yaniv Golan, Forbes.com, 16 Mar. 2026 But what happens when the detox is over and the chorus of text pings, slack dings and social media notifications swells throughout the rest of the year? — Deborah Vankin, Los Angeles Times, 13 Jan. 2026
Noun
Wear them with slacks and a blazer to work, with flowy fall dresses and pencil skirts, or with wide-leg pants to dress up a casual look. — Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 29 Sep. 2026 When Russia cut gas to Europe in 2022, there was no slack in the system, and prices hit record highs. — The Conversation, 29 Sep. 2026
Verb
Redneck points out that it's heightened the XL's front wall by 11 inches (28 cm) as compared to older Freedom models, slacking up the angle of the roof to adjust for it. — New Atlas, 13 Apr. 2026 And under Chay Yew’s somewhat slack direction, Chinese Republicans never really finds its stride. — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 27 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for slack
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slack
  1. lazy
  2. flexible
  3. loosened
  4. latitude
  5. slackness
  6. loosen
  7. careless
  8. relaxed
Adjective
  • All is peaceful under the long, lazy loggia laden with vibrant fuschia bougainvillaea – the Passeggiata dei Monaci – and in the neat orchards low-hanging with fat, bobbly Amalfi lemons.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • With the White Sox clinging to a one-run lead, Anthony Kay erased Yordan Alvarez on a lineout and got Jose Altuve to hit a lazy fly ball, ending the threat.
    — Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of lazy
Adjective
  • With shifting tariff rules and trade policies, merchants need to stay flexible to handle sudden political and financial changes.
    — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 12 Oct. 2026
  • To surmount the issue, Apple routed a flexible graphite pipe through the hinge itself to transfer heat between the two halves, thereby increasing the surface area available for heat dissipation.
    — Eric Zeman, PC Magazine, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of flexible
Adjective
  • Use a non-abrasive scrubbing sponge or a microfiber cloth to remove all the loosened debris.
    — Maria Sabella, The Spruce, 19 Sep. 2026
  • The loosened restrictions will not empower Washington to pursue investment and economic cooperation with al Sharaa’s government, which could transform the impoverished country.
    — Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of loosened
Noun
  • The weather determines everything in these southerly latitudes of Patagonia.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
  • The woman's attorneys argued that the decision wrongly gives school officials wide latitude to squelch political speech based on their personal ideas of what is vulgar.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of latitude
Noun
  • In the games so far, there have been quite a few fumbles and an apparent slackness of mind and limb.
    — E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 24 June 2026
Definition of slackness
Verb
  • However, restrictions have begun to loosen over the last decade, and some players have been allowed to compete abroad or join lucrative leagues.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 Oct. 2026
  • However, the task force urged county leaders to more aggressively lobby state politicians to loosen those spending restrictions, allowing money to be used on other local needs like transportation and housing.
    — Ryan Gillespie, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of loosen
Adjective
  • She was involved in a bankruptcy case in 2013, arrested on suspicion of careless driving in 2021, and arrested in 2023 on suspicion of domestic violence and battery.
    — Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Digger follows greedy, careless Digger as his company inadvertently catalyzes a disaster with global repercussions—then, whoopsie, sets off another for good measure.
    — Hillary Busis, Vanity Fair, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of careless
Adjective
  • Alongside iconic locations often featured in films and TV, West Hollywood offers a relaxed neighborhood spirit which Stay AKA perfectly taps into.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Inside, the house has a mix of formal reception rooms and more relaxed spaces, along with a custom kitchen and dining area and a main bedroom suite.
    — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of relaxed

Browse Nearby Words

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slack
slacked
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Cite this Entry

“Slack.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slack. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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