lax

adjective

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\ ˈlaks

Definition of lax

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a of the bowels : loose, open

b : having loose bowels

2 : deficient in firmness : not stringent lax control a lax foreman security has been lax

3a : not tense, firm, or rigid : slack a lax rope

b : having an open or loose texture a lax soil

c : having the constituents spread apart a lax flower cluster

4 : articulated with the muscles involved in a relatively relaxed state (such as the vowel \i\ in contrast with the vowel \ē\)

lax

noun

Definition of lax (Entry 2 of 2)

: lacrosse

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Other Words from lax Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More About lax

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Other Words from lax

Adjective

laxation \ lak-ˈsā-shən

\ noun

laxly \ ˈlaks-lē

\ adverb

laxness noun

Choose the Right Synonym for lax

Adjective

negligent, neglectful, lax, slack, remiss mean culpably careless or indicative of such carelessness. negligent implies inattention to one's duty or business. negligent about writing a note of thanks neglectful adds a more disapproving implication of laziness or deliberate inattention. a society callously neglectful of the poor lax implies a blameworthy lack of strictness, severity, or precision. a reporter lax about accurate quotation slack implies want of due or necessary diligence or care. slack workmanship remiss implies blameworthy carelessness shown in slackness, forgetfulness, or neglect. had been remiss in their familial duties

Examples of lax in a Sentence

Adjective The university has been lax about enforcing these rules. lax parents who let their kids stay out as late as they want

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective During the same period, Twitter—long criticized for its lax content moderation policies and rampant abuse—has had to take some action in response to two crises. — Alex Shephard, The New Republic, 9 May 2022 There’s long been a black market for such activity but the advent of NIL created a more lax environment that’s brought the booster money for recruits into the daylight. — Michael Casagrande | Mcasagrande@al.com, al, 9 May 2022 Before the results could be finalized, accusations of electoral improprieties, primarily lax voter registrations, rolled in. — David Reamer, Anchorage Daily News, 8 May 2022 Other analysts haven’t ruled out other factors in the blasts, including Russia’s lax safety standards. — Thomas Grove, WSJ, 5 May 2022 Though the Biden administration raised the fines that can be levelled against non-complying hospitals—from $300 a day to a maximum of roughly $2 million per year for those with 30 or more beds— enforcement has so far been lax. — Erika Fry, Fortune, 4 May 2022 Utah’s consistently lax, relatively, coronavirus regulations also were a boon to their cause. — The Salt Lake Tribune, 3 May 2022 There has been an epidemic of speeding and reckless driving around the country during the pandemic in part as some drivers have become emboldened by emptier roads and lax police enforcement, according to transportation experts. — New York Times, 2 May 2022 But the spike in violence since summer 2020 has been general, across cities and states with lax and strict gun laws, with progressive and conservative prosecutors, as well as Republican and Democratic mayors and governors. — Ray Sanchez, CNN, 24 Apr. 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'lax.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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