#1141 | RETARDED 🛑

(Adjective) – Outdated term historically used to describe someone with intellectual or developmental disabilities, now considered offensive and inappropriate. It may also mean delayed or hindered progress or development.

Connotation:
🔹 Negative – The word has a very negative connotation due to its offensive and derogatory use in modern contexts. It is strongly discouraged in formal and respectful settings.

Implications in Context:
✅ In Business & Leadership – Using this term in a workplace can lead to legal and ethical concerns, affecting the company’s reputation and morale.
✅ In Academia & Research – The use of this term in academic settings is considered inappropriate and unprofessional; the term has been replaced with more respectful language such as "intellectual disability."
✅ In Personal & Social Settings – Using this term in casual conversation can be deeply hurtful and alienating, damaging relationships and creating social friction.

Example Sentences:
✅ The company faced backlash after a manager used the term "retarded" in a team meeting, resulting in a formal apology.
✅ The professor emphasized that using terms like "retarded" to describe individuals with developmental disabilities is disrespectful and perpetuates harmful stereotypes.
✅ He regretted his earlier comment, admitting that calling someone "retarded" was not only insensitive but also deeply hurtful to people with developmental challenges.

RETARD 🛑

(Verb) – To delay or slow down progress, development, or movement.

Connotation:
🔹 Negative – When used in reference to people, it is highly offensive and derogatory. In a neutral context, it can simply mean to slow or hinder something.

Implications in Context:
✅ In Business & Leadership – The term can be used to describe processes or actions that slow down a project or decision-making, but using it in reference to people is inappropriate.
✅ In Academia & Research – In research, "retard" might refer to a delay in the development of a hypothesis or theory, but care should be taken with wording.
✅ In Personal & Social Settings – The use of this term to describe someone is offensive and can cause significant harm in social interactions.

Example Sentences:
✅ The storm may retard the shipment, causing delays in the product launch.
✅ The lack of funding has retarded the project’s progress, leaving many tasks incomplete.
✅ The team’s refusal to adapt to new methods is beginning to retard overall growth.