1
as in careless
failing to give proper care and attention
lax parents who let their kids stay out as late as they want
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in relaxed
not bound by rigid standards
the guidelines for the essay contest were fairly lax, permitting a wide variety of topics
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in loosened
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 & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 lax
And this peptide serum delivers, with 10 different peptides (which serve to smooth lines and plump lax skin) housed in yet another copper peptide that delivers them deep into the skin.
—
Deanna Pai, Vogue, 22 Oct. 2025
Others, lured by the country’s warm weather and lax oversight, followed.
—Ed Caesar, New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2025
Regional banks bounced a bit, still down a couple percent on the week, as Thursday’s flush lower amid a few separate but coincident credit hiccups exacerbated underlying unease with the opaque and possibly lax lending across private credit and among smaller commercial banks.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 17 Oct. 2025
Clark, Sheila Edwards and Rodney Edwards’ widow, Kathryn Edwards, sued AES alleging negligence and lax workplace safety standards.
—Kelly Puente, Nashville Tennessean, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lax
Deanna Pai, Vogue, 22 Oct. 2025
Others, lured by the country’s warm weather and lax oversight, followed.
—Ed Caesar, New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2025
Regional banks bounced a bit, still down a couple percent on the week, as Thursday’s flush lower amid a few separate but coincident credit hiccups exacerbated underlying unease with the opaque and possibly lax lending across private credit and among smaller commercial banks.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 17 Oct. 2025
Clark, Sheila Edwards and Rodney Edwards’ widow, Kathryn Edwards, sued AES alleging negligence and lax workplace safety standards.
—Kelly Puente, Nashville Tennessean, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lax
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lax
Adjective
-
He was treated for minor injuries at a local hospital and was later issued a summons for no insurance, careless driving and leaving the scene of an accident, officials said.—
Sam Gillette,
PEOPLE,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Jenkins’ fumble was due to careless ball-handling, although two members of his offensive line got bull-rushed, leading to the pressure.—
Walter Villa,
Miami Herald,
30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
This picturesque lakeside destination is increasingly attracting affluent foreign buyers, drawn by the stunning natural beauty and newly relaxed Golden Visa program.—
Demetrius Simms,
Robb Report,
5 Nov. 2025
-
The city’s relaxed building regulations and abundance of oceanfront lots have fueled a boom in construction, and that vertical growth has led João Pessoa to host some of Brazil’s most impressive rooftop bars and pools.—
Aaron Randolph,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Next, carefully remove the bowl from the microwave and use a microfiber cloth to wipe away all the loosened grime.—
Maria Sabella,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
By the 1950s, as Glass shows, neglectful developers left new suburbs with little choice but to fund their expansion via the bond market.—
Michael Waters,
The Atlantic,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Director Kim Jee-woon uses every trick in the haunted-house book when spinning the tale of two vulnerable sisters, their neglectful father, and their evil stepmother, all of whom are trapped together in a shabby (but beautifully filmed) old country house.—
Katie Rife,
Entertainment Weekly,
29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
These include electric vehicles with extended driving ranges, large-scale renewable energy storage systems that can balance intermittent solar and wind power, and lightweight, flexible power sources for portable and wearable electronics.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Airlines have been alerting customers whose flights are canceled and offering flexible rebooking and refund options to other travelers headed to those 40 airports.—
Eve Chen,
USA Today,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Midway through the third quarter, true freshman linebacker Mason Posa, buried on the depth chart just weeks ago, ripped the ball loose at Washington’s 7-yard line and fell on it himself.—
Ira Gorawara,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Sanford jarred the ball loose as Zollers was loading up to pass, and the ball caromed to A&M’s Dalton Brooks virtually in stride behind Zollers.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
8 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Saturday morning appeared more like a lazy weekday morning at SMF — plenty of curbside pickup spaces and ticketing agents offering extra attention — than the frontline of a nationwide transportation crunch.—
Cathie Anderson,
Sacbee.com,
8 Nov. 2025
-
It’s made with a soft, cozy knit, but the sleek silhouette keeps it from veering into lazy-day territory.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
The soft knit fabric drapes just right, giving that relaxed vibe without looking sloppy.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Practice had been a bit a sloppy at times, but San Diego State coach Brian Dutcher had a wide smile anyway Thursday afternoon.—
Mark Zeigler,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lax.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lax. Accessed 19 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share