retard
13 synonyms and 4 antonyms for retard, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To slow down the progress or development of something.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. verb
To slow down the progress or development of something.
“Cold temperatures retard the growth of bacteria in food.”
Opposites
2. noun
A delay, or a slowing of pace.
“Engineers built in a slight retard to the ignition timing.”
How to use retard
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
As a noun referring to a person, this word is an offensive slur and should be avoided entirely; the verb sense (to slow something down) is neutral and still used in technical and formal writing.
Etymology
From Latin retardare, "to make slow," from re- + tardus ("slow").
Full origin of retard →