1
as in careless
failing to give proper care and attention
lax parents who let their kids stay out as late as they want
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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
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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
as in negligence
failure to take the care that a cautious person usually takes
the mountain climber's uncharacteristic laxness almost caused an accident
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of lax
Ronald J. Deibert, Foreign Affairs, 24 Apr. 2025
The industry moved to China in the 1990s to benefit from lower costs, lax labor laws, and nonexistent environmental protections, according to many analysts.
—Stephanie Hanes, Christian Science Monitor, 18 Apr. 2025
During that time, China combined its low labor costs and relatively lax environmental standards with the adoption of foreign technologies, according to Stan Trout, founder of the rare earths and magnetic materials consultancy Spontaneous Materials.
—Nectar Gan, CNN Money, 15 Apr. 2025
The problem is getting worse because security at airports is lax.
—Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 11 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for lax
Adjective
In the weeks since the explosive revelation that top U.S. officials inadvertently shared attack plans in Yemen with a journalist on a Signal group chat, fresh questions about the Trump administration’s lax approach to digital security have continued to emerge.
—Ronald J. Deibert, Foreign Affairs, 24 Apr. 2025
The industry moved to China in the 1990s to benefit from lower costs, lax labor laws, and nonexistent environmental protections, according to many analysts.
—Stephanie Hanes, Christian Science Monitor, 18 Apr. 2025
During that time, China combined its low labor costs and relatively lax environmental standards with the adoption of foreign technologies, according to Stan Trout, founder of the rare earths and magnetic materials consultancy Spontaneous Materials.
—Nectar Gan, CNN Money, 15 Apr. 2025
The problem is getting worse because security at airports is lax.
—Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 11 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for lax
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lax
Adjective
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In August 2023, using the FWC’s report on the crash, prosecutors initially charged Pino with only three counts of misdemeanor careless boating.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
23 May 2025
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Being a careless jackass but also irresistibly charming is a tough needle to thread.—
Staff Author Published,
EW.com,
22 May 2025
Adjective
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Downstairs, a games room is set up to shoot pool or hunker down with Texas Hold’em, and a bunk room for guests means hosting and entertaining is always relaxed and easy.—
Catherine Dunwoody,
Forbes.com,
25 May 2025
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This combination of factors with the relaxed atmosphere in the cellars provided ideal conditions to produce excellent wines.—
Mike DeSimone,
Robb Report,
24 May 2025
Noun
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Wyden is demanding the public release of an unclassified 2022 report that allegedly outlines years of cybersecurity negligence by major U.S. telecom companies.—
Emil Sayegh,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2025
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Fowler could not determine whether this was the result of negligence or an operation with malicious intent.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
31 May 2025
Adjective
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Attendees will learn about what constitutes neglect, abuse and exploitation of older adults and adults with disabilities, as well as how to report an abusive or neglectful situation.—
Melinda Moore,
Chicago Tribune,
21 May 2025
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Disorganized behavior: Mary/Jone refuses to eat with her/his family or have a bath, which may reflect disorganized or neglectful behavior.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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After all, supportive sneakers for walking through a city, flexible pants for long-haul flights, and versatile pieces that can be worn multiple times throughout a trip are essentials on any packing list.—
Rachel Trujillo,
Travel + Leisure,
24 May 2025
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Despite its grandeur, over the centuries the palace proved to be a flexible structure, capable of accommodating additions, splits, partitions, changes of ownership and use.—
Luisa Zargani,
Footwear News,
24 May 2025
Adjective
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Lots of his work, including Succession and some writing on political satires, such as Veep and The Thick of It, draw loose and sometimes close inspiration from current events.—
Charlie Warzel,
The Atlantic,
30 May 2025
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Entering the final year of his contract, which carries a $4.5 million annual average value, Marchment could shake loose as a result of Dallas opting to make some difficult budgetary choices this summer.—
Harman Dayal,
New York Times,
30 May 2025
Adjective
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Some argued that this is standard gentle parenting, while others believed that parents are too lazy to follow through with demands.—
Daniella Gray,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 May 2025
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Jack Sparks, aquatics director for the city, said Black Bob Bay’s water park typically draws the biggest crowds with its lazy river, rock wall and high dive.—
Beth Lipoff,
Kansas City Star,
23 May 2025
Adjective
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Los Alamitos tied the game in the third due to some sloppy defense from the Eagles.—
Michael Huntley,
Oc Register,
23 May 2025
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José had sent it as a freebie after Akasha complained about sloppy packaging on previous bark orders and threatened to switch to a new source in Peru.—
Andy Greenberg,
Wired News,
22 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lax.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lax. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.
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