Synonyms of decompress

decompress

verb

ˌdē-kəm-ˈpres 

as in to relax

to get rid of nervous tension or anxiety

after she gets home from work, she needs some time to decompress before preparing dinner

Synonyms & Similar Words

• relax
• unwind
• chill
• rest
• de-stress
• wind down
• loosen up
• hang loose
• chill out
• compose
• mellow (out)
• bask
• settle
• unbend
• relieve
• lounge
• alleviate
• calm
• vegetate
• repose
• comfort
• idle
• kick back
• ease
• laze
• cool
• bum
• hang (around or out)
• quiet
• loll
• dawdle
• goof (off)
• hack (around)
• drone
• loaf
• veg out
• dillydally
• zone out
• footle
• dally

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• tense (up)

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of decompress

Hike through the rain forest to see native wildlife and waterfalls, then decompress with a yoga class or in your ocean-view bungalow. —Maya Kachroo-Levine, Travel + Leisure, 13 Jan. 2026

And sometimes this gathering spot is where guests go to take phone calls or to decompress and chat with people one-on-one. —R. Eric Thomas, Mercury News, 13 Jan. 2026

That’s the perfect film to decompress with! —Damon Wise, Deadline, 13 Jan. 2026

The shorter the line, the less likely there will be a melt down (and melt downs mean having to spend precious time decompressing someplace quiet, or possibly having to end the entire excursion early and going back to the hotel). —Priscilla Blossom, Parents, 2 Jan. 2026