decelerate
gb/dɪsˈɛlɚˌeɪt/ us/dɪsˈɛlɚˌeɪt/
B2
English
Senses
0 senses
Verb
B2
action
1
slow down in speed
to go more slowly, or make something go more slowly
Usage pattern:
[something] decelerates; [someone/something] decelerates [something]
Common mistake:
In everyday conversation, people often say “slow down” instead of “decelerate.”
Synonyms
slow down (more common and conversational)
|
brake (specifically to slow a vehicle by using brakes)
|
reduce speed (clear and neutral, often used in instructions or reports)
Antonyms
accelerate (to increase speed)
|
speed up (more common and conversational opposite)
Collocations
decelerate sharply
|decelerate rapidly
|decelerate suddenly
|decelerate smoothly
|decelerate to a stop
|start to decelerate
|begin to decelerate
|decelerate from high speed
|decelerate a vehicle
|decelerate an object
Themes
movement
|vehicles
|physics
|transport
Examples
- The train began to decelerate as it approached the station.
- The driver decelerated smoothly before entering the curve.
- A spacecraft must decelerate before it can enter orbit around a planet.
Learner examples
- The car decelerated near the traffic light.
- Please decelerate before the turn.
Verb
formal
C1
process
2
slow in growth or activity
to increase, develop, or happen more slowly than before
Usage pattern:
[growth/inflation/activity] decelerates; [something] decelerates [growth/progress/activity]
Common mistake:
Do not use “decelerate” simply to mean “decrease.” A rate can decelerate even if it is still increasing, but increasing more slowly.
Synonyms
slow (more general and more common)
|
moderate (often means to become less strong or intense)
|
lose momentum (informal image of progress becoming weaker)
Antonyms
accelerate (to increase in rate or pace)
|
gain momentum (to develop or progress faster and more strongly)
Collocations
economic growth decelerates
|inflation decelerates
|sales decelerate
|demand decelerates
|revenue growth decelerates
|the pace decelerates
|growth begins to decelerate
|decelerating inflation
|decelerating demand
|decelerating momentum
Themes
business
|economics
|change
|statistics
Examples
- Economic growth decelerated in the second half of the year.
- The company’s revenue is still rising, but the rate of growth has decelerated.
- Higher borrowing costs may decelerate demand for new homes.
Learner examples
- Inflation decelerated last month.
- Sales are growing, but they are decelerating.
Grammar
Dictionary form
decelerate
IPA
GB/dɪsˈɛlɚˌeɪt/
US/dɪsˈɛlɚˌeɪt/
Syllables & stress
de - cel - er - ate (4 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (cel)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: decelerate
- 3rd Person Singular: decelerates
- Present Participle: decelerating
- Past: decelerated
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.