lax

1 of 2

adjective

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 noun
laxly adverb
laxness noun

lax

2 of 2

noun

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
States and cities eager to maximize parking in busy areas have a long history of lax enforcement of laws that usually require about 20 feet of no-parking zones around crosswalks. Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025 Since then, Brittney and her husband, Luke Bird, have been pushing Wisconsin to recognize sextortion as a standalone crime and to hold big tech companies like Meta accountable for lax child-safety regulations. Natalie Eilbert, jsonline.com, 3 Sep. 2025 Most privacy breaches happen in test environments where security is lax. Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025 He’s inspired by more mature lax equipment companies such as East Coast Dyes, a manufacturer that has ballooned into a multimillion-dollar business since launching in 2011. Eric Jackson, Sportico.com, 22 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for lax

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of lax was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Lax.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lax. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

lax

adjective
ˈlaks
1
: not firm or tight : loose
2
: not strict
laxly adverb
laxness noun

Medical Definition

lax

adjective
1
of the bowels : loose sense 3
2
: having loose bowels

More from Merriam-Webster on lax

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