RELAXATION Synonyms: 99 Similar and Opposite Words

relaxation

noun

ˌrē-ˌlak-ˈsā-shən

Definition of relaxation

as in recreation

activity engaged in to amuse oneself what do people in this jerkwater town do for relaxation?

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in rest

freedom from activity or labor meditating in a state of total relaxation

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 relaxation The pastime has been linked to reducing stress, improving relaxation, and providing a better understanding of others. — Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 24 Sep. 2026 When life speeds up, intentional relaxation is usually the first thing that flies out the window. — Cheryl Fenton, Flow Space, 23 Sep. 2026 Consider techniques like progressive muscle relaxation, body scanning, box breathing, or even picturing your thoughts as clouds that are receding into the distance. — Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 23 Sep. 2026 The site noted that subjective relaxation from passive heat exposure is well-documented, with parasympathetic tone rising as the body cools after a session. — Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 22 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for relaxation

Recent Examples of Synonyms for relaxation

Noun

For close to two decades, this crowd-pleasing pop superstar has been topping charts and gobbling up Grammys with detailed recreations of an ever-expanding array of past musical styles.

— Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026
Another $70 million will go toward community centers such as a recreation center in Steele Creek or a civic center closer to uptown.

— Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of recreation

Noun

Keep countertops clean while cooking with this playful ceramic spoon rest.

— Alexandra Emanuelli, Southern Living, 29 Sep. 2026
For example, an airline could see, hours in advance, that a developing weather system will breach crew rest limits on three routes, create a maintenance conflict at a hub and leave a cargo commitment undeliverable.

— Abha Dogra, Forbes.com, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of rest

Noun

Expect a pan-European menu of pimientos de padron peppers, warm leek salad and a surprising tuna Milanese with fun twists like a wagyu sando.

— Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2026
Some of these products are practical, while others are just plain fun, but each one shows how surprising Amazon’s selection is.

— Toni Sutton, PEOPLE, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of fun

Noun

Max Goldbart here taking you through a week in which one of the biggest entertainment deals of this century was waved through.

— Max Goldbart, Deadline, 2 Oct. 2026
That money is split among entertainment-industry health and retirement funds, the Motion Picture & Television Fund and a National Association of Attorneys General fund.

— Andrew McGowan, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of entertainment

Noun

Trades of around $5,500 made up a large share of transactions on the contracts, and that 24-hour trading volume was abnormally high compared to actual resting liquidity.

— Davis Giangiulio,Ananya Chetia, CNBC, 30 Sep. 2026
Following her death on August 31, 1997, during a Paris car accident, Althorp became Diana’s final resting place.

— Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of resting

Noun

They were found to sharply increase how long people continued to engage, but often for reasons of anger and curiosity, rather than enjoyment.

— Pascal Vrticka, Scientific American, 4 Oct. 2026
Richardson discusses how his early fascination with science and his enjoyment of science fiction has influenced his poetry and considers the way his aphorisms counterbalance his more lyric poems.

— Fiction Non Fiction, Literary Hub, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of enjoyment

Noun

Arcade games, go-karts, amusement rides, and more from Fun Spot America are all up for grabs following the Fayetteville park's recent closure.

— CBS News Atlanta Digital Team, CBS News, 28 Sep. 2026
Besides being a legendary singer and songwriter of chart-toppers, Parton as a shrewd entrepreneur turned her namesake Tennessee theme park Dollywood into one of the world’s top amusement destinations.

— Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of amusement

Browse Nearby Words

relaxant

relaxation

relaxed

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“Relaxation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/relaxation. Accessed 5 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of relaxation

noun

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