DECOMPRESS Synonyms: 41 Similar and Opposite Words

decompress

verb

ˌdē-kəm-ˈpres

as in to relax

to get rid of nervous tension or anxiety after she gets home from work, she needs some time to decompress before preparing dinner

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

tense (up)

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of decompress The room, lit with flameless candles and a calming blue light, is the perfect space for folks from all walks of life to decompress in the middle of their hectic work week. —

Britt Julious, Chicago Tribune, 30 Mar. 2026 Hurley seriously considered resigning, taking a gap year to decompress, and doing some TV before jumping back into the college game or the pros. —

Ian O'Connor, New York Times, 30 Mar. 2026 Providing a comfortable hiding space gives cats a place to decompress and feel secure. —

Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Mar. 2026 The other day, to decompress, Emmel took a lawn chair out to a park, cracked open a 6-pack and watched some local kids play baseball. —

Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 26 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for decompress

Recent Examples of Synonyms for decompress

relax

Verb

The bill currently proposes relaxing pesticide labeling rules and the potential preemption of states suing big agrochemical companies in cases related to carcinogenic paraquat and glyphosate.

— Thomas Heaton, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026
For many, a relaxing soak in the tub isn’t complete without a bath bomb.

— Caroline Lubinsky, Martha Stewart, 10 Apr. 2026