lax

1 of 2

adjective

ˈlaks 

1

a

of the bowels : loose, open

b

: having loose bowels

2

: deficient in firmness : not stringent

lax control

a lax foreman

security has been lax

3

a

: not tense, firm, or rigid : slack

a lax rope

b

: having an open or loose texture

a lax soil

c

: having the constituents spread apart

a lax flower cluster

4

: articulated with the muscles involved in a relatively relaxed state (such as the vowel \i\ in contrast with the vowel \ē\)

laxation

lak-ˈsā-shən 

noun

laxly

ˈlaks-lē 

adverb

laxness noun

lax

2 of 2

noun

: lacrosse

Synonyms

Adjective

• careless
• derelict
• disregardful
• lazy
• neglectful
• neglecting
• negligent
• remiss
• slack

Choose the Right Synonym for lax

negligent, neglectful, lax, slack, remiss mean culpably careless or indicative of such carelessness.

negligent implies inattention to one's duty or business.

negligent about writing a note of thanks

neglectful adds a more disapproving implication of laziness or deliberate inattention.

a society callously neglectful of the poor

lax implies a blameworthy lack of strictness, severity, or precision.

a reporter lax about accurate quotation

slack implies want of due or necessary diligence or care.

slack workmanship

remiss implies blameworthy carelessness shown in slackness, forgetfulness, or neglect.

had been remiss in their familial duties

Examples of lax in a Sentence

Adjective

The university has been lax about enforcing these rules.

lax parents who let their kids stay out as late as they want

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

But with no safe storage laws and lax requirements for private sales, there are few guardrails for adults. —The Arizona Republic, 18 Apr. 2024

Her family said a lax approach to law and order, coupled with a high recidivism rate, continues to put unsuspecting victims in harm's way. —Chris Eberhart, Fox News, 12 Apr. 2024

Kishida has warned that the war in Europe could lead to conflict in East Asia, suggesting that a lax attitude to Russia emboldens China. —Aamer Madhani, Fortune Asia, 10 Apr. 2024

In April 2023, auditors inspected four postal facilities across South Florida and found lax security around arrow keys at three of them. —Nick Devlin, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2024

The Cyber Safety Review Board’s report, a copy of which The Post obtained before its official release, takes aim at shoddy cybersecurity practices, lax corporate culture and a deliberate lack of transparency over what Microsoft knew about the origins of the breach. —Joseph Menn, Washington Post, 2 Apr. 2024

Watchdog For subscribers Broken tolling software, lax oversight: A new lawsuit against SANDAG echoes audits’ critiques of its practices Dec. 3, 2023 Former finance director Lauren Warrem filed a wrongful-termination lawsuit against SANDAG in November, a case that is still pending. —Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2024

Federal enforcement of price transparency stiffened following criticism The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has ramped up enforcement since previously coming under criticism for what some called lax enforcement of the rule. —Sarah Volpenhein, Journal Sentinel, 22 Mar. 2024

Tasked with a mandate to invigorate competition after decades of lax antitrust enforcement, regulators are taking to court to block deals. —Winston Cho, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Latin laxus loose — more at slack

Noun

by shortening & alteration (x as symbol for -crosse)

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1951, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

lax

adjective

ˈlaks

1

: not firm or tight : loose

2

: not strict

laxly adverb

laxness noun

Medical Definition

lax

adjective

ˈlaks 

1

of the bowels : loose sense 3

2

: having loose bowels