Definition of relax
transitive verb
1 : to make less tense or rigid : slacken relaxed his grip
2 : to make less severe or stringent : modify relax immigration laws
3 : to deprive of energy, zeal, or strength of purpose
4 : to relieve from nervous tension
5 : to treat (hair) chemically in order to relax curls
intransitive verb
1 : to become lax, weak, or loose : rest
2 : to become less intense or severe hoped the committee would relax in its opposition
3 of a muscle or muscle fiber : to become inactive and lengthen
relaxer
nounFrom the M-W Editors
Examples of relax in a Sentence
The muscles in my neck and shoulders should relax after a nice hot shower.
A hot shower relaxed the tight muscles in my neck and shoulders.
I can't relax with all this noise!
Just relax, there's nothing to worry about.
Try to relax and enjoy the ride.
Recent Examples of relax from the Web
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CORNELIS, the 63-year-old governor of West Kalimantan, a province in Indonesian Borneo, is relaxing in jeans and a stained white vest at a table piled withkrupuk crackers and other local snacks.
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The state has taken several steps, including adding more money to its Drought Disaster Livestock Water Supply cost-share program and relaxing commercial driving restrictions to help with the transport of livestock, water and hay.
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The best way to relax after a stressful week is to jump on my Center Console Mako (boat) with our Labrador retrievers and spend a couple of hours on the water.
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Village Commons, 120 Veterans Parkway; www.newlenox.net/pView.aspx?id=54049&catid=529 Relax to live music by 95th Street Band and enjoy treats from Ofrenda and The Cookout On Wheels food trucks.
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Both girls L O V E the ocean, so makes for a fun un-relaxing day! ❤️
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Bring lawn chairs, grab picnic basket and enjoy relaxing evening.
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Regulations have also been relaxed to allow local-government AMCs to sell the debt to third-party investors, which has led to more secondary transactions.
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Put a night on the books for a picnic or cookout at the beach while the kids swim and the grown-ups visit and relax.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'relax.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of relax
Middle English, from Latin relaxare, from re- + laxare to loosen, from laxus loose — more at slack
RELAX Defined for English Language Learners
relax
playDefinition of relax for English Language Learners
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: to become or to cause (something) to become less tense, tight, or stiff
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: to stop feeling nervous or worried
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: to spend time resting or doing something enjoyable especially after you have been doing work
RELAX Defined for Kids
relax
playDefinition of relax for Students
relaxed
;relaxing
1 : to make or become loose or less tense Relax your muscles. She relaxed her grip on the reins.
2 : to make or become less severe or strict Mom relaxed the rules for the summer.
3 : to become calm and free from stress
4 : to seek rest or enjoyment You can relax at the beach.
Medical Dictionary
relax
playMedical Definition of relax
1: to slacken or make less tense or rigid alternately contracting and relaxing their muscles
2: to relieve from nervous tension
3: to relieve from constipation medications to relax the bowels
1
intransitive verb
of a muscle or muscle fiber : to return to an inactive or resting state; especially : to become inactive and lengthen2: to cast off social restraint, nervous tension, or anxiety couldn't relax in crowds
Learn More about relax
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See words that rhyme with relax Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for relax Spanish Central: Translation of relax Nglish: Translation of relax for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of relax for Arabic speakers
Seen and Heard
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