decelerate Hear it!

decelerate Definition

de·cel·er·ate (dē sel′ər āt′)

transitive verb, intransitive verb decelerated -·at′ed, decelerating -·at′·ing

to reduce the speed (of); slow down

Etymology: de- + (ac)celerate

Related Forms:

decelerate Usage Examples

Object

  • process: However, what we do or do not do to a building can accelerate or decelerate this process.
  • object: An unbalanced force will always accelerate or decelerate an object.

Adjective complement

  • relative: At 15-16 years the growth of girls decelerates relative to boys.

Modifying Another Word

  • quickly: Hold water - put the blades into the water at an angle, causing the boat to decelerate quickly.
  • actually: When this happens, the body's metabolic rate falls and further fat cannot be easily metabolized so your weight loss actually decelerates.