1
as in to unwind
to get rid of nervous tension or anxiety
she took deep breaths to relax before going on stage
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
3
as in to bask
to refrain from labor or exertion
I just want to kick back and relax after mowing that huge lawn
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of relax
Give It A Rest After mixing, leave the dough in the refrigerator to let the gluten (the protein that holds everything together) relax and allow the butter time to resolidify.
—
Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 25 Oct. 2025
The gorgeous town, located on the French Riviera, is a haven for those looking to relax by the gin-clear waters.
—Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 25 Oct. 2025
That’s because the FDA had recently relaxed its rules about how the pills could be prescribed and dispensed, allowing women to receive them by mail after a telehealth visit with a provider.
—Lisa Jarvis, Mercury News, 25 Oct. 2025
Martha Stewart Signature Comfort Stretch Boxy Modern Top The knit layer is made from a slightly stretchy material that is comfortable enough to wear while relaxing at home, but the boxy design adds structure that bodes well for brunch plans or running errands.
—Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for relax
Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 25 Oct. 2025
The gorgeous town, located on the French Riviera, is a haven for those looking to relax by the gin-clear waters.
—Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 25 Oct. 2025
That’s because the FDA had recently relaxed its rules about how the pills could be prescribed and dispensed, allowing women to receive them by mail after a telehealth visit with a provider.
—Lisa Jarvis, Mercury News, 25 Oct. 2025
Martha Stewart Signature Comfort Stretch Boxy Modern Top The knit layer is made from a slightly stretchy material that is comfortable enough to wear while relaxing at home, but the boxy design adds structure that bodes well for brunch plans or running errands.
—Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for relax
Recent Examples of Synonyms for relax
Verb
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Pair the three-seat sofa with a set of club chairs, or place two sofas across from each other to create the perfect spot to host dinner parties, book club, or unwind after a busy day.—
Claire Hoppe Norgaard,
Better Homes & Gardens,
28 Oct. 2025
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Guests can dine at the on-site Beacon Restaurant, stroll the nearby boardwalk, or unwind by the fire pits as the sun seemingly dips into the glistening lake.—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The number of foreign residents has risen sharply in recent years, reaching a record 3 percent of the population in 2024, as Tokyo cautiously loosened visa rules for workers in key industries such as manufacturing, agriculture, and caregiving.—
Micah McCartney,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Oct. 2025
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If your windows are heavily dirty, let the solution sit for a couple of minutes to loosen the dirt.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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A week after looking aghast in Tampa Bay at the 49ers’ injury-riddled plight, Williams had a different view of things this past Sunday night, all while basking in the glow of victory and a 5-2 record.—
Cam Inman,
Mercury News,
23 Oct. 2025
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The boy band were basking in their 2008 reunion when Blue Bloods came along.—
Leena Tailor,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The pillows are also resistant to shifting and lumping, so the filling will remain evenly balanced, providing a reliably cozy place to rest your head every night.—
Melody Kazel,
PEOPLE,
24 Oct. 2025
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The bronze statue, commissioned by the owner of baby products brand Frida and sculpted by Rayvenn Shaleigha D’Clark, depicts a topless woman, holding her baby in one arm, while the other rests on her hip.—
Elisabeth Sherman,
Parents,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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There was time to decompress together after an intense match, which Ruben Amorim has stated should be a benefit to his team this campaign.—
Laurie Whitwell,
New York Times,
23 Oct. 2025
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Going on vacation is a great way for workers to decompress from their busy schedules, but some don’t feel comfortable taking even a few days off, according to a new report from FlexJobs.—
Sophie Caldwell,
CNBC,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The film — part chilling revenge thriller and part absurd slapstick — is riveting.—
Baz Bamigboye,
Deadline,
24 Oct. 2025
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Shared in October by u/pizzalogdong, the pictures show the gray tabby comfortably chilling inside a carrier, as her kittens are wrapped up in warm blankets by the poster.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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And someone who is a great listener, respectful, caring, chilled out, someone who supports my dreams – and is cool with my chaos!—
Tracy Wright,
FOXNews.com,
26 Oct. 2025
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Mackinac Island will be busy through the end of October when things slow down, most of the 600 horses pulling carriages are taken off the island to a farm in northern Michigan to chill out over the winter and most of the hotels and bed and breakfasts close up for the season.—
Carol Cain,
Freep.com,
27 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The corporation has been winding down its operations.—
Mimi Whitefield,
Miami Herald,
28 Oct. 2025
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The 20-date 2026 arena tour will hit Denver, Kansas City, Detroit, Minneapolis, Toronto, Boston, Philadelphia, Nashville, Dallas, Oklahoma City and Los Angeles before winding down on March 27 at Oakland Arena in Oakland, Calif.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
28 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Relax.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/relax. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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