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

Examples of laxative in a Sentence

Noun

The doctor prescribed a laxative.

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

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 In one frame, Haynes focuses on the branding of a packet of the laxative Ex-Lax, as iconic as a Campbell’s soup can. — Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, "To the Bone: The Trouble With Anorexia on Film," 14 July 2017 There’s another reason, though, one that Sal hinted at with his laxative comment. — Scott Herhold, The Mercury News, "Herhold: VTA’s strange new motto," 11 Jan. 2017

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

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 Ware says laxative abuse was common, and Davis says teammates would often sweat themselves out in their cars and starve themselves to make weight. — Kalyn Kahler, SI.com, "NFL Cheerleading Can Still Be Saved," 10 May 2018 The Chinese cultivated rhubarb as early as 2700 B.C., using it for a variety of medicinal purposes, including as a laxative and stomach pain reliever. — Terri Milligan, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Are you a ’barbarian? Let rhubarb’s tart-sweet flavor shine in more than pie," 13 Apr. 2018 Treat constipation aggressively with laxatives such as polyethylene glycol. — Wendy Glaberson, M.d., miamiherald, "What can I do about my child's bedwetting? | Miami Herald," 10 Apr. 2018 Lane first spoke to doctors about nausea and stomach pain in January, People reported, and was given laxatives to treat what was thought to be an intestinal blockage. — Sarah Klein, Health.com, "This Woman Died From Hantavirus—a Rare Infection Initially Mistaken for the Flu," 27 Apr. 2018 The dogs did not like the devices, and to avoid using them, some retained bodily waste, even after consuming laxatives. — Alice George, Smithsonian, "The Sad, Sad Story of Laika, the Space Dog, and Her One-Way Trip into Orbit," 12 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.