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
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Recent Examples of relax
Winds will continue to be active on Sunday, but as high atmospheric pressure builds in on Monday, winds will relax.
—
Newsroom Meteorologist, Austin American Statesman, 19 Feb. 2026
This is a fabulous place to relax, take in the views and, most importantly, eat.
—Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2026
Leveleve Balcony Furniture 5-Piece Patio Conversation Set For truly stretching out and relaxing, this five-piece set includes two chairs with extendable footrests for reclining—then the footrest tuck neatly underneath the chairs when not in use.
—Melanie Fincher, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Feb. 2026
House File 621 is Republican lawmakers' latest attempt to relax who may bring weapons onto school grounds after similar legislation failed to pass last year.
—Stephen Gruber-Miller, Des Moines Register, 19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for relax
Newsroom Meteorologist, Austin American Statesman, 19 Feb. 2026
This is a fabulous place to relax, take in the views and, most importantly, eat.
—Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2026
Leveleve Balcony Furniture 5-Piece Patio Conversation Set For truly stretching out and relaxing, this five-piece set includes two chairs with extendable footrests for reclining—then the footrest tuck neatly underneath the chairs when not in use.
—Melanie Fincher, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Feb. 2026
House File 621 is Republican lawmakers' latest attempt to relax who may bring weapons onto school grounds after similar legislation failed to pass last year.
—Stephen Gruber-Miller, Des Moines Register, 19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for relax
Recent Examples of Synonyms for relax
Verb
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Large players like Apple, Walmart and Amazon have taken the lead in pushing vendors to disclose their own carbon footprints, which has created self-reinforcing ecosystems that aren’t about to unwind.—
Diane Brady,
Fortune,
13 Feb. 2026
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Berkshire Hathaway, under new CEO Greg Abel, has since taken a formal step toward unwinding its 28% stake in Kraft Heinz.—
Amelia Lucas,
CNBC,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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There's also some evidence that cost discipline is loosening a bit.—
Michael Khouw,
CNBC,
17 Feb. 2026
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Let sit for 10-15 minutes to loosen buildup.—
Louise Parks,
Martha Stewart,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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In the decade to come, Jackson basked in celebrity and international travel, including a controversial meeting with Yasser Arafat.—
Johanna Neuman,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Feb. 2026
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The recent moves by general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and coach Jeff Hafley indicate that Club Mike, the resort-like atmosphere the Dolphins basked in for the previous four seasons, is truly coming to an end and this franchise is about to return to serious, hard-nosed football.—
Chris Perkins,
Sun Sentinel,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The nurses, teachers, soldiers and everyone else on her massage table, resting up to go at it again.—
Danielle Paquette The Washington Post,
Arkansas Online,
17 Feb. 2026
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Doctors advised Harrington to rest for four to six weeks and this is the fourth.—
Mark Zeigler,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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But when the season ended and Flaherty finally had a chance to decompress, some of the frustration turned to grace.—
Cody Stavenhagen,
New York Times,
14 Feb. 2026
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Sensory sensitive kids might need comfortable spaces to decompress or personal hygiene products that are entirely unscented.—
Sara Rowe Mount,
Parents,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
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More than just the weather threatens to chill the consumer outlook this winter, however.—
Allie Canal,
NBC news,
14 Feb. 2026
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Practices and games begin in January and expose players to harsh weather and unnecessary injuries while fans watch games in bone-chilling cold or do not attend at all.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Do nothing, chill out, eat some pasta.—
Michael Russo,
New York Times,
13 Feb. 2026
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Finding ways to chill out can really help.—
Care Resource,
Miami Herald,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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And some people gain a lot of benefit from having exercise in the evening serve as part of their wind down and stress relief.—
Helen Carefoot,
Flow Space,
13 Feb. 2026
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Democrats and Republicans can't agree on ICE Despite news Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, will be winding down operations in Minnesota, lawmakers are at odds over its funding.—
Zachary Schermele,
Louisville Courier Journal,
13 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Relax.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/relax. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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