1
as in to unwind
to get rid of nervous tension or anxiety
she took deep breaths to relax before going on stage
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
3
as in to bask
to refrain from labor or exertion
I just want to kick back and relax after mowing that huge lawn
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 relax
After a successful day of promoting her brand, the designer relaxed with waterfront drinks at a restaurant overlooking Pewaukee Lake.
—
Natalia Senanayake, PEOPLE, 15 May 2026
Attend a world-class sporting event, walk or run to help those who help others, see a rock legend perform, see a live-action version of a children's show, or simply relax with a glass of wine.
—John Coffren, Baltimore Sun, 14 May 2026
Despite being in one of the city’s more tony neighborhoods, The Modernist feels pleasantly relaxed whilst retaining a low-key buzz; enough happening, but by no means a party place.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 May 2026
The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals responded a few days later by ruling the FDA erred by relaxing its regulations to allow for dispensing the pills by mail.
—Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for relax
Natalia Senanayake, PEOPLE, 15 May 2026
Attend a world-class sporting event, walk or run to help those who help others, see a rock legend perform, see a live-action version of a children's show, or simply relax with a glass of wine.
—John Coffren, Baltimore Sun, 14 May 2026
Despite being in one of the city’s more tony neighborhoods, The Modernist feels pleasantly relaxed whilst retaining a low-key buzz; enough happening, but by no means a party place.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 May 2026
The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals responded a few days later by ruling the FDA erred by relaxing its regulations to allow for dispensing the pills by mail.
—Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for relax
Recent Examples of Synonyms for relax
Verb
-
From Marciana Alta, ride the cable car to Monte Capanne for views as far as Corsica, then unwind with gelato in Portoferraio, Marciana Marina, or Capoliveri.—
Nicky Swallow,
Travel + Leisure,
17 May 2026
-
Even though the major indices recovered mostly by the close, the intraday damage in semis, small caps, and long-duration growth stocks was a reminder of how quickly a narrow, crowded market can unwind when investors head for the exit.—
Tony Zhang,
CNBC,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
In another gun rights case, the justices may loosen a federal law aimed at keeping firearms out of the hands of dangerous or irresponsible people.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
13 May 2026
-
The results suggest a broad surge in support for loosening restrictions on research into substances such as psilocybin and MDMA to probe their potential for medical use.—
Jackie Flynn Mogensen,
Scientific American,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
The video opens with Earle lounging by the beach, basking in the sun.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
13 May 2026
-
The resort-style pool’s sun shelf provides the perfect perch for basking in the sun or for children to splash in the shallow water, while surrounding decks offer umbrellas and chaises.—
Pulte Homes,
Miami Herald,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
Flop down in your favorite blue armchair, rest a hand behind your head, and settle into a new week of Atlantic Trivia.—
Drew Goins,
The Atlantic,
11 May 2026
-
After resting Monday, the Padres will visit the feisty Milwaukee Brewers for a three-game series.—
Dennis Lin,
New York Times,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
The dead hang strengthens the shoulders and decompresses the spine, combating the effects of gravity over time.—
Saralyn Ward,
Health,
15 May 2026
-
Private outdoor spaces — terraces, plunge pools or gardens — give guests room to breathe and decompress between programmed activities.—
Lauren Schuster,
Kansas City Star,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
Cover tightly with a lid or plastic wrap and chill at least 45 minutes and up to 12 hours.—
Shilpa Uskokovic,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
17 May 2026
-
The spiral of menace is breathtaking as Gary continues to dig them in deeper with his misplaced confidence and reckless moves, and a bone-chilling warning left in the dead of night forces Irwin to bring Hester up to date.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
16 May 2026
Verb
-
North chilled out on the couch with her baby bro.—
Brendan Le,
PEOPLE,
9 May 2026
-
Think of it as an impossible-to-resist invitation to chill out and get on the same relaxed wavelength as seemingly everyone else on this stretch of the Mexican Caribbean.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
After the premiere ovation wound down, the filmmaker shared some more remarks.—
Lily Ford,
HollywoodReporter,
15 May 2026
-
The show is designed to teach life skills through music, from trying new veggies to winding down for bed, with songs and content that have become a go-to resource for millions of parents looking to learn and bond with their children.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Relax.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/relax. Accessed 18 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
