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

Relevance

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 Democrats began flying Haitians into Logan by the thousands, and soon Healey was opening close to 80 flophouses for their permanent relaxation. — Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 7 July 2026 The design of the space aims for relaxation while guests imbibe. — Katelyn Umholtz, Kansas City Star, 6 July 2026 Any mood benefits likely come from its ability to promote relaxation and reduce mental tension. — Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 6 July 2026 A day at the beach can provide a beautiful setting for rest and relaxation. — Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 5 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
  • Residents raised concerns about heavy truck traffic, and negative impacts on property values, outdoor recreation spaces, trees and wildlife.
    — Mars King, Twin Cities, 4 July 2026
  • But district officials plan to keep their promise to the state and residents to develop the property for recreation.
    — Addison Wright, Chicago Tribune, 4 July 2026
Definition of recreation
Noun
  • To minimize risks during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) advises incorporating frequent rest breaks in shaded or air-conditioned areas.
    — NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 11 July 2026
  • For a safer outdoor work environment, follow the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)'s guidance by scheduling regular rest breaks in shaded or air-conditioned places.
    — CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 10 July 2026
Definition of rest
Noun
  • Have fun, and make sure this is genuinely adding something to your life.
    — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 8 July 2026
  • Spice up your look with a fun silhouette like these barrel-leg capri pants, made of a wrinkle-resistant material.
    — Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 8 July 2026
Definition of fun
Noun
  • Like many public events in wartime Ukraine, the festival blended ordinary leisure with reminders that the war is never far away.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 5 July 2026
  • For one thing, the advent of washing machines and other modern conveniences meant that backyards could be used for leisure.
    — Martha Ross, Mercury News, 3 July 2026
Definition of leisure
Noun
  • The debate over the development has played out amid a serious downturn in the region’s entertainment industry, with studios shifting film and television production to Georgia, New Mexico and other out-of-state locations.
    — Roger Vincent, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2026
  • Bands perform as the peaceful crowd saunters, with the visual entertainment of beefy men cooking barbecue on giant grills.
    — Michael Goldstein, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026
Definition of entertainment
Noun
  • The cemetery’s new board of directors has aspirations to turn the graveyard — the final resting place of the famous and not so famous — from decaying and overgrown to a future urban green space that would attract visitors.
    — Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 5 July 2026
  • Khamenei's final resting place is in the holy city of his hometown Mashhad, which holds profound religious significance for Shia Islam, and is where his father, the previous ayatollah, is buried.
    — Emma Graham, CNBC, 4 July 2026
Definition of resting
Noun
  • Transforming unused outdoor areas creates functional spaces for relaxation and enjoyment.
    — Barbara Bellesi Zito, The Spruce, 1 July 2026
  • While enjoyment often leads globally, its source is the work itself, not entertainment.
    — Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
Definition of enjoyment
Noun
  • Knoebels was named America’s best amusement and water park for 2026 in Tripadvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Awards, which is based on reviews.
    — Eve Chen, USA Today, 3 July 2026
  • Ureña, a 22-year-old right-hander who has emerged as another potential ace, speaks of Soriano with a giddy amusement mixed with a solemn respect for how the starter has survived in the big leagues.
    — Liana Handler, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026
Definition of amusement

Browse Nearby Words

relaxant
relaxation
relaxed
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Relaxation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/relaxation. Accessed 11 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on relaxation

Nglish: Translation of relaxation for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about relaxation

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of xeric

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 10
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
banana-mirrored
Contradictory Words Quiz Pick out which word means one thing…and the opp...
See All