relax

verb

ri-ˈlaks How to pronounce relax (audio)
Definition of relaxnext
1
as in to unwind
to get rid of nervous tension or anxiety she took deep breaths to relax before going on stage

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to loosen
to make less taut relax the rope a bit so I can pick up the slack and tie this knot

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to bask
to refrain from labor or exertion I just want to kick back and relax after mowing that huge lawn

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of relax These dynamic conditions allowed the copper atoms to relax and shift, which helped the material retain structural order past the superheating limit. — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 15 Aug. 2026 Summer might be synonymous with beach trips and sandy feet, but as anyone who prefers fresh water will tell you, a lake getaway can be just as relaxing. — Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 15 Aug. 2026 Organizers plan on expanding the festival footprint to accommodate larger crowds, adding more indoor venues for author sessions, increasing food and water options and creating additional gathering spaces where visitors can relax between events. — Maya Santiago, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Aug. 2026 Magnesium found in bananas can help relax muscles and may improve your sleep quality. — Carley Millhone, HEALTH, 14 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for relax
Recent Examples of Synonyms for relax
  1. chill
  2. loosen
  3. bask
  4. unwind
  5. rest
  6. decompress
  7. wind down
  8. chill out
Verb
  • Add vanilla if desired, mix well and chill for one hour before serving in chilled parfait cups.
    — Philip Potempa, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Then there's support for the optional Polar Cooler, which routes chilled air toward the extruder and filament path to reduce heat creep during hotter chamber operation—further reinforcing the Max 4’s focus on sustained high-temperature printing.
    — Michael Lydick, PC Magazine, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of chill
Verb
  • Made from wood chips and sawdust bound with resin, particleboard can swell when exposed to moisture, while screws and bolts can loosen over time.
    — Rachel Silva, Martha Stewart, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Even before this summer’s heat, the EU had begun loosening a number of its emissions targets and delaying the phaseout of gas and diesel vehicles, in an apparent effort to blunt the far right’s use of green policies as a campaign issue.
    — Ned Temko, Christian Science Monitor, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of loosen
Verb
  • There, all arms of the Walt Disney Company — the multiple studios, television, parks, streaming, gaming, music, and more — simultaneously bask in the glow of nostalgia and take the time to tease their future.
    — Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 13 Aug. 2026
  • While not reflective of Murphy’s teenage years, the atmosphere and specific sense memory of ’81 that the book basks in has long been imprinted on Murphy.
    — Hunter Ingram, Variety, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of bask
Verb
  • When market rents begin moving, an owner running an 11% concession discount has to unwind that discount before a single dollar of the recovery reaches effective rent.
    — Tony Julianelle, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
  • And after an active day at the resort, guests can unwind at the expansive Kohler Waters Spa before retiring to The American Club, the resort’s premier five-star hotel.
    — Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of unwind
Verb
  • Alarm bells are sounding in Chicago as another family lays a child to rest after an electric scooter collision.
    — Narmeen Khan, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026
  • This week, hundreds of brown pelicans, California gulls and sandpipers rested along the shoreline as waves rolled in.
    — Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of rest
Verb
  • After decompressing back in Jersey for the summer, where Springsteen spent a lot of his downtime at the Stone Pony and other Asbury Park hotspots, another run of shows was booked for the fall.
    — Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Villa Copenhagen’s pool is one of the city’s only heated outdoor rooftop options—and is such a relaxing oasis to decompress after your travels or day of activities.
    — Yerin Kim, InStyle, 27 July 2026
Definition of decompress
Verb
  • As the summer winds down, there’s less daylight, fewer opportunities to enjoy that outdoor barbecue or visit the local beach and the back-to-school blues may begin to creep in.
    — John Kell, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Best Nightlife Apart from live entertainment at Chinook Winds Casino Resort and a handful of open-late watering holes, things usually wind down early here.
    — Zoe Baillargeon, Travel + Leisure, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of wind down
Verb
  • Others might love to chill out with a glass of red wine and listen to some great music.
    — Liz Johnson, USA Today, 29 July 2026
  • Yes, those are real reindeer chilling out in kiddie swimming pools during this hot Missouri summer.
    — Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 23 July 2026
Definition of chill out

Browse Nearby Words

relaunching
relax
relaxant
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Cite this Entry

“Relax.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/relax. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of relax for Spanish Speakers

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