Synonyms of relax

relax

verb

ri-ˈlaks 

1

as in to chill

to get rid of nervous tension or anxiety

she took deep breaths to relax before going on stage

Synonyms & Similar Words

• chill
• unwind
• rest
• decompress
• bask
• loosen up
• hang loose
• de-stress
• wind down
• compose
• chill out
• mellow (out)
• calm
• settle
• lounge
• unbend
• comfort
• relieve
• repose
• ease
• alleviate
• laze
• quiet
• vegetate
• kick back
• bum
• loll
• cool
• hang (around or out)
• idle
• dawdle
• goof (off)
• hack (around)
• loaf
• drone
• veg out
• zone out
• dillydally
• footle
• dally

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• tense (up)

2

as in to loosen

to make less taut

relax the rope a bit so I can pick up the slack and tie this knot

Synonyms & Similar Words

• loosen
• slacken
• ease
• slack
• detach
• untie
• free
• undo
• unfasten
• unbind

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• tension
• stretch
• tighten
• tense
• strain
• bind
• attach
• tie
• restrain
• fasten
• constrain

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

• bask
• rest
• lounge
• hang
• repose
• kick back
• loll
• hang around
• bum
• idle
• hang about
• slack (off)
• veg out
• loaf
• goldbrick

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• work
• struggle
• strive
• slave
• hustle
• sweat
• labor
• plug
• strain
• toil
• plow
• exercise
• plod
• hump
• work out
• grub
• peg (away)
• slog
• travail
• drudge
• moil

Examples of relax in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Others pay extra to stay for longer to detox, relax, and recuperate. —Mattha Busby, Rolling Stone, 14 Aug. 2024

So far, the 2025 colors of the year are all about creating a cozy, relaxing atmosphere without sacrificing bold saturation. —Emily Vanschmus, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Aug. 2024

Other relaxing pre-sleep activities, such as gentle stretching, reading, or meditating, can also prepare your body for rest. —Casey Clark, Parents, 12 Aug. 2024

Specific exercises and yoga poses can help relax your pelvis and uterus, creating more room for the fetus and nudging it into the head-down position. —Brandi Jones, Verywell Health, 5 Aug. 2024