slackening

slack·en  (slkn)

tr. & intr.v. slack·ened, slack·en·ing, slack·ens

1. To make or become slower; slow down: The runners slackened their pace. Air speed slackened.

2. To make or become less tense, taut, or firm; loosen: I slackened the line to let the fish swim. The tension in the board room finally slackened.

3. To make or become less vigorous, intense, or severe; ease: slacken discipline; afraid that morale might slacken.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

slackening - an occurrence of control or strength weakening; "the relaxation of requirements"; "the loosening of his grip"; "the slackening of the wind" loosening, relaxation weakening - becoming weaker thaw - a relaxation or slackening of tensions or reserve; becoming less hostile; "the thaw between the United States and Russia has led to increased cooperation in world affairs"