decelerate

/ˌdiːˈseləreɪt/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌdiːˈseləreɪt/ (ame, ipa) · /(ˌ)dē-ˈse-lə-ˌrāt/ (ame, mw)

decelerate — verb

  • deceleratepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • decelerateshe / she / it
  • deceleratedpast simple
  • decelerating-ing form

1. to start moving at a lower speed than before, or to make a vehicle do this, espe

1.動詞及物 / 不及物C1
釋義

to start moving at a lower speed than before, or to make a vehicle do this, especially as it approaches a stop, turn, or other hazard

例句

Mateo decelerated as the school bus pulled into the crowded lane.

intransitive: decelerate before a hazard

The train began to decelerate before it reached Tainan Station.

pattern: decelerate before + place

同義詞
  • slow down

    the everyday choice in speech; less technical than decelerate

  • brake

    specific to vehicles and often implies using the brake mechanism

  • ease off

    suggests reducing speed gently rather than describing the rate itself

反義詞
  • accelerate

    the direct opposite in transport and motion contexts

  • speed up

    the more conversational opposite

文法句型

decelerate before + place

decelerate + vehicle

decelerate from ... to ...

用法筆記

More formal than slow down. Common in driving manuals, safety reports, and technical writing, especially when the focus is on measured change in speed.

常見錯誤

❌The car decelerated down near the gate.
✅The car decelerated near the gate.' or 'The car slowed down near the gate.
💡decelerate already includes the idea of becoming slower, so down is unnecessary.

2. to begin advancing, growing, or changing less quickly than before, or to make a

2.動詞及物 / 不及物C1
釋義

to begin advancing, growing, or changing less quickly than before, or to make a process lose pace in that way

例句

Coffee sales decelerated after the festival crowds went home.

figurative use: growth or sales become slower

The new tax rules decelerated apartment sales across the city.

transitive: decelerate + economic activity

同義詞
  • slow

    broader and more neutral; works in everyday situations as well

  • taper off

    suggests a gradual weakening toward a lower level

  • lose pace

    focuses on momentum becoming weaker over time

反義詞
  • accelerate

    means to increase the rate of movement, growth, or progress

  • pick up

    a more informal way to say activity or speed increases again

文法句型

decelerate + process

decelerate after + event

be decelerating

用法筆記

Used mainly in formal discussions of growth, rates, progress, or other measured trends. In everyday conversation, slow down is usually more natural.

常見錯誤

❌Sales decelerated to zero overnight.
✅Sales dropped to zero overnight.
💡decelerate means becoming slower, not stopping completely.
❌The meeting decelerated after lunch.
✅The meeting slowed down after lunch.
💡decelerate sounds most natural with movement, growth, or measured progress, not ordinary conversation events.