laxity

noun

lax·​ity ˈlak-sə-tē How to pronounce laxity (audio)
Synonyms of laxitynext
: the quality or state of being lax

Examples of laxity in a Sentence

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.
Sagging skin, or skin laxity, can also happen. — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 28 Apr. 2026 Yet what scans as authorial laxity here is elsewhere integral to the novel’s charm. — Hannah Gold, New Yorker, 21 Jan. 2026 That’s why many of our favorite eye creams pair peptides with retinal, caffeine, niacinamide, or growth factors to tackle multiple signs of aging at once, from puffiness and dark circles to thinning skin and laxity. — Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 16 May 2026 Trying to undo a Brazilian butt lift (or BBL) by sucking it out of the body carries the risk for nerve damage, asymmetry, and skin laxity. — Marisa Meltzer, Vanity Fair, 23 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for laxity

Word History

First Known Use

1528, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of laxity was in 1528

Browse Nearby Words

laxist
laxity
laxly
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Laxity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/laxity. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

laxity

noun
lax·​ity ˈlak-sət-ē How to pronounce laxity (audio)
: the quality or state of being lax

Medical Definition

laxity

noun
lax·​i·​ty ˈlak-sət-ē How to pronounce laxity (audio)
plural laxities
: the quality or state of being loose
a certain laxity of the bowels
ligamentous laxity

More from Merriam-Webster on laxity

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for laxity

Nglish: Translation of laxity for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of gambol

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
hangman letters and game
Hangman Lightning Round Figure out which word fits in the blanks.
See All