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Slacken vs Sluggish - What's the difference?

slacken | sluggish |

As a verb slacken

is to gradually decrease in intensity or tautness; to become slack.

As an adjective sluggish is

habitually idle and lazy; slothful; dull; inactive; as, a sluggish man.

slacken

English

Verb

(en verb)
  • To gradually decrease in intensity or tautness; to become slack.
  • The pace slackened .
  • * 1900 , , The House Behind the Cedars , Chapter I,
  • During this interlude, Warwick, though he had slackened his pace measurably, had so nearly closed the gap between himself and them as to hear the old woman say, with the dulcet negro intonation:...
  • * 1908 ,
  • He seemed tired, and the Rat let him rest unquestioned, understanding something of what was in his thoughts; knowing, too, the value all animals attach at times to mere silent companionship, when the weary muscles slacken and the mind marks time.
  • To make slack, less taut, or less intense.
  • * 1986 , Mari Sandoz, The Horsecatcher?
  • Elk slackened the rope so he could walk farther away, and together they went awkwardly up the trail toward the grassy little flat...
  • To deprive of cohesion by combining chemically with water; to slake.
  • to slack lime

    Anagrams

    *

    sluggish

    English

    Adjective

    (en-adj)
  • Habitually idle and lazy; slothful; dull; inactive; as, a sluggish man.
  • And the sluggish land slumbers in utter neglect . --
  • Slow; having little motion; as, a sluggish stream.
  • Having no power to move one's self or itself; inert.
  • Matter, being impotent, sluggish , and inactive, hath no power to stir or move itself . -- Woodward
  • Characteristic of a sluggard; dull; stupid; tame; simple.
  • Exhibiting economic decline, inactivity, slow or subnormal growth.
  • Inflation has been rising despite sluggish economy.

    Quotations

    * So sluggish a conceit . --

    Synonyms

    * See also * See also

    Derived terms

    * sluggishness