1
as in careless
failing to give proper care and attention
lax parents who let their kids stay out as late as they want
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in relaxed
not bound by rigid standards
the guidelines for the essay contest were fairly lax, permitting a wide variety of topics
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in loosened
not tightly fastened, tied, or stretched
the sheet on the foresail was lax, and so the sail was flapping wildly in the stiff wind
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of lax
Federal investigators from the NTSB and FAA are probing the cause as aviation experts highlight longstanding concerns over lax maintenance standards and safety culture in the skydiving industry.
—
Kristin M. Hall,
Los Angeles Times,
14 June 2026
His testimony is essentially a detailed indictment of enforcement failures — smuggling, remote access loopholes, the Blackwell gap, lax Entity List additions, distillation attacks — and a call to pass a specific package of bipartisan bills.
—
Mayra Rodriguez Valladares,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
Yes, California officials helped create this mess by creating a vote-by-mail system with lax deadlines that allow ballots that were mailed on Election Day to be counted a full week later.
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The Editorial Board,
Oc Register,
9 June 2026
But, unlike most plants, philodendrons are pretty lax and don't need a strict watering schedule, which can cause some inconsistencies.
—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
7 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for lax
Kristin M. Hall,
Los Angeles Times,
14 June 2026
His testimony is essentially a detailed indictment of enforcement failures — smuggling, remote access loopholes, the Blackwell gap, lax Entity List additions, distillation attacks — and a call to pass a specific package of bipartisan bills.
—
Mayra Rodriguez Valladares,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
Yes, California officials helped create this mess by creating a vote-by-mail system with lax deadlines that allow ballots that were mailed on Election Day to be counted a full week later.
—
The Editorial Board,
Oc Register,
9 June 2026
But, unlike most plants, philodendrons are pretty lax and don't need a strict watering schedule, which can cause some inconsistencies.
—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
7 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for lax
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lax
Adjective
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Still, multitasking can lead to careless errors, irritability or burnout, so take it easy.
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Sell the two at much the same price, and careful investors end up holding careless risk.
Adjective
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The relaxed fit offers plenty of comfort while the print keeps things visually interesting.
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Her hosting playbook still sets the tone, even as a new generation reshapes it for a more relaxed era.
Adjective
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Hence shirt jackets and safari jackets in linen and leather came to the fore, as did denim Bermudas, linen polos and lots of lifestyle knits amid its more formal, full-canvas tailoring — styled with a loosened tie.
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For now, though, Detroit’s automakers are leaning into the lucre that comes from selling millions of fossil-fuel vehicles in a rare moment of loosened regulation.
Adjective
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While not every nursing home fosters a neglectful or abusive environment, these conditions can thrive at facilities that are understaffed.
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To do otherwise is neglectful and selfish.
Adjective
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The headband is flexible for a perfect fit, and the adjustable earcups have plush cushioning to prevent pinching.
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The oil market is incredibly complex and significantly more flexible than even the most knowledgeable experts anticipated.
Adjective
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This pair is loose through the hips and thighs, with a not-too-wide leg that feels timeless.
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Potential profits have encouraged traffickers to ship massive amounts of illicit drugs to both countries, often across the Pacific Ocean from South America via the Pacific Islands, a loose cluster of thousands of islands and atolls.
Adjective
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Why This Happens To The Best Business Owners The trap does not catch the lazy or the careless.
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This cannot happen if lazy tropes around risk and governance continue to overshadow the ingenuity already present on the continent.
Adjective
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Winning like a Feeney Due to some sloppy defensive errors from the silver-haired infield, the Feeneys allowed more runs in the top of the seventh.
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The Walpole, Massachusetts native, making his second career start at Fenway Park in front of family and friends, surrendered a two-run, go-ahead homer to ex-Yankees prospect Caleb Durbin in the fifth inning of what was a sloppy, 6-3, loss for the Bombers.
Cite this Entry
“Lax.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lax. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.
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