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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of decompress
Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 24 Apr. 2026
Free and Cozy Spots to Recharge When the budget is a factor or everyone just needs to decompress, head to the Seattle Public Library’s Central Branch.
—Lauren Schuster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Apr. 2026
Marc Topkin, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 Apr. 2026
The sweetness was palpable and felt like a major decompression from the festival’s momentum.
—Reanna Cruz, Vulture, 13 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for decompress
Verb
Plans may shift and motivation may waver, so use this time to take a step back, decompress and let the day settle.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 24 Apr. 2026
Free and Cozy Spots to Recharge When the budget is a factor or everyone just needs to decompress, head to the Seattle Public Library’s Central Branch.
—Lauren Schuster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Apr. 2026
Noun
Especially for a guy who had a second Tommy John elbow surgery in August 2023, then at the end of a healthy 2025 spring was sidelined by an odd left arm nerve issue that required an August decompression procedure to address.
—Marc Topkin, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 Apr. 2026
The sweetness was palpable and felt like a major decompression from the festival’s momentum.
—Reanna Cruz, Vulture, 13 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for decompress
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decompress
Verb
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Indigenous peoples in the area have been coming there for 1000s of years to soak and take advantage of the waters, and so there’s been a hotel or some manner of resort there since the late eighteen hundreds, welcoming people to come and take the waters and relax and enjoy.—
AFAR Media,
AFAR Media,
15 May 2026
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In Finland, some of the most sincere and open conversations happen inside and between sauna sessions, when everyone is relaxed and stripped of egos, titles and status.—
Brad Japhe,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
Noun
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The Administration’s cowboy capture of the Venezuelan autocrat Nicolás Maduro, on January 3rd, prompted an airspace closure in the Caribbean, stranding many populations, none as humbled as the American tourists, gone to the islands for rest and relaxation over the winter holiday.—
Doreen St. Félix,
New Yorker,
9 May 2026
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Hot and cold immersion has been linked to reduced inflammation, improved circulation, muscle relaxation and better sleep — outcomes a 60-minute massage cannot match.—
Hanna Wickes,
Sacbee.com,
9 May 2026
Noun
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Set aside time daily to do absolutely nothing, sitting in silence to give your brain a rest, Desai suggests.—
Renée Onque,
CNBC,
12 May 2026
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The next challenge is a date with either the San Antonio Spurs or the Minnesota Timberwolves in the conference finals — after several more days of rest than those teams, which are tied heading to Game 5 on Tuesday night.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Decompress.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decompress. Accessed 17 May. 2026.
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