Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
×

Thesaurus

lax

adjective

Synonyms and Antonyms of lax

1 failing to give proper care and attention
  • lax parents who let their kids stay out as late as they want
Synonyms of lax

careless, derelict, disregardful, lazy, neglectful, neglecting, negligent, remiss, slack
Words Related to lax

heedless, incautious, irresponsible, reckless, wild

unguarded, unwary

forgetful

disregardful, disregarding, inattentive, oblivious, thoughtless, unheeding, unmindful, unthinking

apathetic, indifferent, unconcerned, uninterested
Near Antonyms of lax

meticulous, painstaking, punctilious

cautious, chary, circumspect, gingerly, guarded

alert, heedful, heeding, mindful, observant, regardful, regarding, vigilant, wary, watchful

foresighted, forethoughtful, provident, responsible

thinking, thoughtful

concerned, interested
Antonyms of lax

attentive, careful, conscientious, nonnegligent
2 not bound by rigid standards
  • The guidelines for the essay contest were fairly lax, permitting a wide variety of topics.
Synonyms of lax

easygoing, flexible, loose, relaxed, slack, unrestrained, unrestricted
Words Related to lax

careless, derelict, heedless, irresponsible, lazy, neglectful, negligent, remiss, slipshod, sloppy, sloven, slovenly, unfussy
Near Antonyms of lax

constrained, restrained, restricted, tight

careful, conscientious, exact, fussy, meticulous, painstaking, punctilious, scrupulous

implacable, inflexible
Antonyms of lax

hard, harsh, rigid, rigorous, severe, stern, strict
3 not tightly fastened, tied, or stretched
  • The sheet on the foresail was lax, and so the sail was flapping wildly in the stiff wind.
Synonyms of lax

insecure, loose, loosened, relaxed, slack, slackened, unsecured
Words Related to lax

detached, free, unattached, unbound, undone, unfastened, untied

baggy, blousy, saggy
Near Antonyms of lax

constrained, restrained

attached, bound, fastened, tied

fast, firm, jammed, snug, stuck, wedged
Antonyms of lax

taut, tense, tight

Synonym Discussion of lax

negligent, neglectful, lax, slack, remiss mean culpably careless or indicative of such carelessness. negligent implies inattention to one's duty or business.
    • negligent about writing a note of thanks
neglectful adds a more disapproving implication of laziness or deliberate inattention.
    • a society callously neglectful of the poor
lax implies a blameworthy lack of strictness, severity, or precision.
    • a reporter lax about accurate quotation
slack implies want of due or necessary diligence or care.
    • slack workmanship
remiss implies blameworthy carelessness shown in slackness, forgetfulness, or neglect.
    • had been remiss in their familial duties

Learn More about lax

  1. See words that rhyme with lax Dictionary: Definition of lax Medical Dictionary: Definition of lax Spanish Central: Translation of lax Nglish: Translation of lax for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of lax for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up lax? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games