laxative

adjective

lax·a·tive | \ ˈlak-sə-tiv

Definition of laxative

(Entry 1 of 2)

: having a tendency to loosen or relax specifically : producing bowel movements and relieving constipation

laxative

noun

Definition of laxative (Entry 2 of 2)

: a usually mild laxative drug

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Examples of laxative in a Sentence

Noun

The doctor prescribed a laxative.

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

The pattern also typically leads to rebound overeating, which may be followed by guilt, and a return to the strict diet or another form of compensation, like excessive exercise, or even laxative or diet pill use, or smoking. — Cynthia Sass, Health.com, "What Is the Cucumber Diet?," 21 June 2019 The stimulant laxative works quickly — within two to six hours — so don't take it right before bed. — Caroline Picard, Good Housekeeping, "The 5 Best Benefits of Castor Oil Are Mostly for Your Hair and Skin," 15 Feb. 2019 Note: Excessive consumption can cause laxative effect; toxic to dogs Calories: 5 calories per teaspoon. — Molly Kimball, NOLA.com, "Guide to plant-based sweeteners, such as Stevia, Truvia," 8 May 2018 Chewing and spitting is regarded as a behavior among clinicians—comparable to restricting calories or laxative use. — Charlotte Lieberman, Marie Claire, "My Eating Disorder Made Me Feel Like a Feminist Fraud," 28 Feb. 2018 Some people appear to be more sensitive to the laxative effect of magnesium than others. — Joe, The Seattle Times, "There’s a cure for toe fungus in your pantry: apple cider vinegar," 14 Jan. 2018 Some doctors prescribe a large volume of liquid laxative prep, while others recommend over-the-counter pill or powder laxatives. — Jenn Morson, SELF, "7 Things You've Always Wondered About a Colonoscopy Procedure," 23 Aug. 2017 The fitness star quotes a description of Flat Tummy Tea’s main ingredients, including senna, a plant that can have laxative effects (and appears in the brand's Cleanse Tea). — Sarah Klein, Health.com, "Here's Why This Fitness Star Is Calling Out a Flat-Belly 'Detox' Tea," 2 Aug. 2017 The fitness star quotes a description of Flat Tummy Tea’s main ingredients, including senna, a plant that can have laxative effects (and appears in the brand’s Cleanse Tea). — Sarah Klein, PEOPLE.com, "Fitness Star Massy Arias Calls Out ‘Scam Artists’ Flat Tummy Tea for Reposting Her Image," 2 Aug. 2017

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

The doctor prescribed her a laxative to flush the tiny balls out of her system. — Jasmine Gomez, Seventeen, "A 14-Year-Old Girl Was Allegedly Hospitalized for Hundreds of Bubble Tea Balls Clogging Her Stomach," 12 June 2019 Many function basically as laxatives, and can lead to longterm health complications. — Brittney Mcnamara, Teen Vogue, "Jameela Jamil Called Out Khloé Kardashian and a Detox Tea Company For Promoting Unhealthy Products," 21 Mar. 2019 When a CT scan confirmed the presence of several small oval objects in her abdomen, the doctors gave her laxatives. — Cathleen O'grady, Ars Technica, "As if heroin weren’t dangerous enough, it may come with lead poisoning," 9 Nov. 2018 Its recent launches there include a laxative Sprite and the company’s first alcoholic drink—a fizzy lemon concoction. — Jennifer Maloney, WSJ, "Coca-Cola Launched 500 Drinks Last Year. Most Taste Nothing Like Coke.," 23 Aug. 2018 The Sackler family acquired Purdue Pharma in the 1950s, then a small New York City pharmaceutical company that sold laxatives, earwax remover and arthritis treatment. — Lillian Rizzo, WSJ, "Purdue Pharma Hires Davis Polk for Restructuring Help," 17 Aug. 2018 They were conceived by J. Walter Thompson to make the adjacent placards leased by Walter O’Malley’s advertising agency for soap, beer, cigarettes, soda, liquor and laxative companies more inviting. — Sam Roberts, New York Times, "Two New Works of Fiction About Mass Transit and a Daring Female Pilot," 2 May 2018 Goop claims that half a shot of castor oil followed by a glass of water is a mild herbal laxative. — Kathleen Hou, The Cut, "Does Castor Oil for Eyelashes Actually Work?," 2 May 2018 Many people think of laxatives as a cure for constipation. — sandiegouniontribune.com, "A caregiver's guide to constipation," 24 Apr. 2018

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