Synonyms of decelerate

decelerate

verb

(ˌ)dē-ˈse-lə-ˌrāt 

as in to slow

to cause to move or proceed at a less rapid pace

she decelerated the car as we entered the school zone

Synonyms & Similar Words

• slow
• brake
• inhibit
• retard
• slacken
• stop
• hinder
• impede
• restrain
• halt
• obstruct
• curb
• hamper
• check
• tie up
• encumber
• set back
• thwart
• constrain
• rein
• hold back
• handicap
• frustrate
• arrest
• hobble
• sabotage
• bottleneck
• hold up
• foil
• baffle

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• accelerate
• hasten
• hurry
• speed (up)
• rush
• step up
• encourage
• push
• urge
• drive
• quicken
• stir
• propel
• spur
• help
• facilitate
• forward
• aid
• advance
• expedite
• further
• ease
• goad
• dispatch

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of decelerate

Most measures also indicate national wage growth is decelerating, even as some pockets of the labor market that are most reliant on immigrants, like construction and traveler accommodation, are registering faster pay increases. —Bloomberg, Mercury News, 10 Mar. 2026

China’s decelerating economic growth has not significantly curbed its military spending. —John Liu, CNN Money, 5 Mar. 2026

After your tires regain traction, continue to decelerate your vehicle and avoid coming to an abrupt stop. —Charles Singh, USA Today, 24 Feb. 2026

So earnings are still growing, but at a decelerating pace. —Joe Weisenthal, Bloomberg, 12 Feb. 2026