Synonyms of slow
60 similar words · 16 opposite words
Another word for slow is slow-moving. Other synonyms of slow are deliberate, prudent, heavy-footed, lead-footed and gradual. The opposite of slow is fast.
Synonyms and similar words for slow
adjectiveTaking a long time to move or go a short distance, or to perform an action; not quick in motion...
- deliberateFormed with deliberation; carefully considered; not sudden or rash.
adjectiveNot happening in a short time; spread over a comparatively long time.
- gradualProceeding or advancing by small, slow, regular steps or degrees.
adjectiveOf reduced intellectual capacity; not quick to comprehend.
- dull-wittedHaving a dull, blunt wit or mind; unintelligent.
adjectiveBehind in time; indicating a time earlier than the true time.
- behindSlow.
adjectiveLacking spirit; deficient in liveliness or briskness.
verbTo keep from going quickly; to hinder the progress of.
verbTo become slow; to slacken in speed; to decelerate.
adjectiveMore synonyms
- moderate
- careful
- prudentSagacious in adapting means to ends; circumspect in action, or in determining any line of conduct.
- dilatorySlow or tardy.
- dullNot bright or intelligent; stupid; having slow understanding.
- inactive
- tardyMoving with a slow pace or motion; not swift.
- slothfulLazy; idle; tending to sloth.
- sluggishSlow; having little motion.
- crawlingThe motion of something that crawls.
- slackNot active or busy, successful, or violent.
- slow-movingOf or relating to a situation in which events unfold in slow succession.
- languidOf a thing: lacking energy, liveliness, or strength; inactive, slow-moving, weak.
- languorousLacking energy, spirit, liveliness or vitality; languid, lackadaisical.
- draggy
- creepingThe act of something that creeps.
- dreich ScotlandSlow, sluggish; specifically, of a person: tending to delay or procrastinate (especially when paying for something).
- gastropodousOf or pertaining to gastropods (snails and the like).
- glacialVery slow.
- heavy-footedSlow-moving.
- inchingVery gradual movement.
- inertUnable to move or act; inanimate.
- labored
- leaden
- lead-footedSlow, boring, dull, or stupid.
- lethargicSluggish, slow.
- low-speedThat operates, moves or takes place at less than normal speed.
- lumberingHeavy, slow and laborious; ponderous.
- ploddingProgressing slowly and laboriously.
- pokeySlow.
- ponderousClumsy, unwieldy, or slow, especially due to weight.
- slothlikeResembling or characteristic of a sloth, especially in being slow and sluggish.
- slow as a snailExtremely slow.
- slow as ChristmasVery slow.
- slow as molasses
- slow as molasses in JanuaryExtremely slow.
- slowfootedProceeding (as with a task) at a slow pace.
- stately
- steadySlow.
- subglacial informalMoving at a rate allegedly slower than a glacier; extremely slow.
- sullenSluggish; slow.
- tardigradeSluggish; moving slowly.
- tediousBoring, monotonous, time-consuming, wearisome, livelong.
- testudineousAs slow as a tortoise.
- torpidDormant or hibernating.
- turtleishSlow.
- turtlesqueSlow.
- unspeedySlow, not speedy; taking considerable time.
Opposite of slow
adjectiveMore antonyms
- quick
- rapid
- swift
- sudden
- quick-witted
- precipitate
- prompt
- lively
- speedyProceeding with or characterized by high speed; rapid.
adjectiveAntonym(s) of “behind in time”.
adjectiveAntonym(s) of “not busy”.
Meaning of slow
- adjective Taking a long time to move or go a short distance, or to perform an action; not quick in motion; proceeding at a low speed.
- adjective Not happening in a short time; spread over a comparatively long time.
- adjective Of reduced intellectual capacity; not quick to comprehend.
slow in other languages
Questions about synonyms of slow
- What is another word for slow?
- Slow has 60 synonyms on Word.ws, such as slow-moving, deliberate, prudent, heavy-footed, lead-footed, gradual, inert and lethargic.
- What is the opposite of slow?
- The opposite of slow is fast. Other antonyms of slow are speedy.
- What does slow mean?
- Slow means taking a long time to move or go a short distance, or to perform an action; not quick in motion; proceeding at a low speed.
Source and license
Adapted from Wiktionary: slow (page history and authors) and the entries of the words listed. Text available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 license. Word.ws grouped the synonyms and antonyms by meaning and added links. Wiktionary data of 2026-09-02.
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Cite this page: “Synonyms of slow.” Word.ws, https://word.ws/synonyms/slow. Based on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.