[] slacken (sth) (off)to gradually become, or to make sth become, slower, less active, etc. （使）减慢，放缓，萧条◆We've been really busy, but things are starting to slacken off now. 近来我们的确很忙，但是现在情况开始有所缓解了。◆The rise in demand has slackened pace(= slowed down) slightly. 需求量上升速度略有放缓。▸slackening /ˈslækənɪŋ/ [] ◆a slackening of demand for steel 钢铁需求的下滑