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

Afterward, everyone but National League All-Star Crow-Armstrong headed off for parts unknown for a brief respite and a chance to decompress before the second half. — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 12 July 2026

As for the onboard experience, accommodations include first-class private rooms and a dining car to eat and decompress. — Amanda Ogle, Travel + Leisure, 8 July 2026

Sometimes the best way to decompress after a long day is to plop onto the couch, turn on your favorite TV show, and let the bright screen gently lull you into a beautiful, drooly sleep. — Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 7 July 2026

Desirable aromatherapy scents include lavender that can help decompress, marjoram that targets the nervous system and neroli for reducing stress. — Bestreviews, Mercury News, 2 July 2026