Synonyms of decompress

decompress 1 of 2

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

• relax
• unwind
• chill
• rest
• de-stress
• wind down
• loosen up
• hang loose
• chill out
• compose
• mellow (out)
• bask
• settle
• unbend
• relieve
• lounge
• alleviate
• calm
• vegetate
• repose
• comfort
• idle
• kick back
• ease
• laze
• cool
• bum
• hang (around or out)
• quiet
• loll
• dawdle
• goof (off)
• hack (around)
• drone
• loaf
• veg out
• dillydally
• zone out
• footle
• dally

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• tense (up)

decompression

2 of 2

noun

as in relaxation

freedom from activity or labor

the waitstaff gets a welcome period of decompression between the lunch and dinner rushes

Synonyms & Similar Words

• relaxation
• rest
• resting
• leisure
• ease
• silence
• restfulness
• sleep
• napping
• slumber
• repose
• slumbering
• quiet
• dozing
• respite
• catnapping
• snoozing
• calm
• serenity
• stillness
• peacefulness
• peace
• lazing
• tranquilness
• tranquility
• sereneness
• placidity
• idleness
• dolce far niente

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• work
• labor
• pressure
• stress
• exertion
• tension
• toil
• strain
• tenseness

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of decompress

Verb

During his professional whirlwind the last handful of years, Cregger often decompresses with video games, and the Resident Evil franchise, particularly Resident Evil 4, has been one of his go-tos. — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 10 Sep. 2026

Translation, these spaces are for meeting people, not just decompressing after work. — Ashley Lynch, Charlotte Observer, 3 Sep. 2026

Noun

But patients with severe cases or no improvement after four to six months of conservative therapy should be offered surgical decompression, and endoscopic repair gets patients back to work an average of one week earlier than open surgery. — Samantha Agate, Sacbee.com, 25 July 2026

Severe cases or those not improved after four to six months of conservative therapy are typically offered surgical decompression, which can be done using endoscopic or open techniques. — Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 25 July 2026