relaxation

noun

ˌrē-ˌlak-ˈsā-shən How to pronounce relaxation (audio)
Definition of relaxationnext
1
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
2
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 property was designed to bring families together with plenty of space for both private relaxation and communal activities. — Mary Holland, Travel + Leisure, 18 July 2026 Chamomile contains apigenin, an antioxidant that may bind to certain brain receptors linked to relaxation. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson july 17, Miami Herald, 17 July 2026 Magnesium helps regulate neurotransmitters involved in sleep and supports muscle relaxation. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson july 17, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 July 2026 Parents don’t need to feel guilty if their teens aren’t constantly busy—unstructured time can foster self-reflection and relaxation. — Melissa Willets, Parents, 16 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for relaxation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for relaxation
  1. recreation
  2. rest
  3. fun
  4. leisure
  5. entertainment
  6. resting
  7. enjoyment
  8. amusement
Noun
  • Her administration has invested in closing critical gaps, improving connectivity, and expanding access to outdoor recreation across the state.
    — Andrew Kimball, New York Daily News, 19 July 2026
  • Bit by bit—which is the way with walls—my interest and knowledge deepened until what had begun as recreation morphed into a hobby job, mending other people’s walls.
    — Matt Seaton, The Atlantic, 19 July 2026
Definition of recreation
Noun
  • Rodri had the best World Cup of anybody, officially, though there will be City fans who would have preferred him to have gone out in the quarter-finals and had some extra rest before the new season.
    — Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 24 July 2026
  • While more research is needed to determine how much these beverages can directly improve sleep, their popularity highlights a growing interest in simple nighttime rituals designed to help people relax and transition into rest.
    — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson July 24, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 July 2026
Definition of rest
Noun
  • Also, the texture, shapes and colors of the candy make for a fun experience to sample, pick and mix up your own bag.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 July 2026
  • The cruise concludes in Fort Lauderdale, but the fun doesn’t have to.
    — Tracey Teo, AJC.com, 23 July 2026
Definition of fun
Noun
  • Residents from Minnesota to Washington, DC, told CNN the noxious air has disrupted their lives, seeping into everything from their health and leisure to their businesses and family life.
    — Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 18 July 2026
  • The demonstration was held on July 15 at Liuxing Street in Yining City, a national-level tourism and leisure district known for its distinctive hexagonal street layout.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 17 July 2026
Definition of leisure
Noun
  • Though Wasserman hasn’t been charged with any crime, the exchanges took place before Maxwell had been charged with any wrongdoing, and the LA28 board backed Wasserman, the entertainment mogul sold his agency after several prominent artists fled.
    — Barry Svrluga, New York Times, 24 July 2026
  • The fifth-floor suite includes a custom bar sink and entertainment nook ready-made for gatherings.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 July 2026
Definition of entertainment
Noun
  • The west is symbolic of death in mythology, but also connected to the land of Elysium, the final resting place for Greek heroes.
    — Tanya Fedak, Variety, 18 July 2026
  • When Princess Ita’s final resting place was first excavated by French archeologist Jacques de Morgan in the late 1800s, Ita was somewhat of an afterthought, Hashesh says.
    — Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 17 July 2026
Definition of resting
Noun
  • Despite a slight weight penalty, the Spider’s open-top experience is unmatched, blending power with driving enjoyment.
    — Jerry Perez, The Drive, 15 July 2026
  • On its face, reading is a form of stress-reducing enjoyment that is exceptionally convenient and, thanks to public libraries, even free.
    — Jen Benka, Time, 14 July 2026
Definition of enjoyment
Noun
  • Those who need an organ shouldn’t have their condition made into a subject of amusement and levity.
    — Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 18 July 2026
  • Moments later, the camera panned to Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson, who couldn’t contain his amusement.
    — Paloma Chavez, PEOPLE, 16 July 2026
Definition of amusement

Browse Nearby Words

relaxant
relaxation
relaxed
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Cite this Entry

“Relaxation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/relaxation. Accessed 25 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on relaxation

Nglish: Translation of relaxation for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about relaxation

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