Also means
to slow down
Usage Note
Desacelerar is a regular -ar verb meaning to reduce speed or momentum, used both literally (vehicles, economies) and figuratively (desacelerar el crecimiento — to slow growth). Its antonym is acelerar. Note that the prefix des- here signals reversal, not negation; the same prefix pattern appears in desactivar, desconectar, etc. In some contexts frenar ('to brake') carries the same meaning with stronger urgency.
Examples
"El conductor desaceleró al ver el semáforo."
Natural Translation
The driver decelerated when he saw the traffic light.
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