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 What the Research Shows About Stress and Sleep A 2024 study investigated whether a 45-minute session of Vibroacoustic Sound Massage (VSM) could influence stress, relaxation, brain activity and heart function in healthy adults. — Samantha Agate, Sacbee.com, 10 July 2026 Even for the die-hard coffee drinker, sipping on a delicious cup of tea now and again can provide health benefits, promote relaxation and help lower stress. — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 9 July 2026 What to read next Not all crew time can be used for utilization even if all goes well, however, as the station requires normal maintenance like cleaning, and astronauts also need daily time for sleep, meals and a little relaxation. — Elizabeth Howell, Space.com, 9 July 2026 There are three saunas—bio, steam bath and Finnish—and relaxation areas with a herbal tea corner and a library. — Rebecca Ann Hughes, Forbes.com, 8 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
  • By playing a day earlier and having 24 hours extra rest before the final, yes.
    — Dan Sheldon, New York Times, 17 July 2026
  • Remember that intensity is relative, so adjust your pace, resistance, and rest intervals as needed.
    — Jenessa Connor, Health, 17 July 2026
Definition of rest
Noun
  • During a family fun night Monday at Summit Waves in Lee’s Summit, two incidents occurred, one involving a gun, according to the city’s parks and recreation department.
    — Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 15 July 2026
  • Across the press tour so far, Zendaya, stylist Law Roach, and glam crew including Casillas and Moreno have had a lot of fun playing with the movie’s concept—method dressing and method glamming.
    — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 15 July 2026
Definition of fun
Noun
  • Volkswagen notes that swapping out the standard AGM leisure battery for the pair of LiFePO4 batteries, which can also be done on its own without the solar panel, increases total usable capacity by nearly 40%.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 10 July 2026
  • According to InterNations’ Expat Insider 2025 report—which evaluates five key aspects of daily living, from safety and healthcare to leisure, transportation, and environmental conditions—Spain is the top destination for healthcare for expats.
    — Taryn White, Travel + Leisure, 9 July 2026
Definition of leisure
Noun
  • Photo courtesy of Easterseals For more than 40 years, the Media Access Awards has been one of the entertainment industry’s few dedicated platforms for recognizing disability representation on screen.
    — Keely Cat-Wells, Forbes.com, 18 July 2026
  • In an era of entertainment increasingly dependent on franchises, Christopher Nolan has turned his name into one of them.
    — Gene Park, Washington Post, 17 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
  • When asked what matters most, respondents prioritized practicality (40%), value paired with quality (36%), and a three-way tie between technology, driving enjoyment, and performance (30% each).
    — Michael Harley, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
  • Conversations revolve around ingredients, craftsmanship, presentation and enjoyment, taking any assumptions of personal choice out of the equation.
    — Ascend Agency, Chicago Tribune, 10 July 2026
Definition of enjoyment
Noun
  • Yet El-Sayed speaks about the controversy with something approaching amusement.
    — Nik Popli, Time, 8 July 2026
  • Quassy tickets start at just $33 for all-day access to either the amusement or waterpark.
    — Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 6 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 18 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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