1
as in rests
to get rid of nervous tension or anxiety
she took deep breaths to relax before going on stage
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in loosens
to make less taut
relax the rope a bit so I can pick up the slack and tie this knot
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in basks
to refrain from labor or exertion
I just want to kick back and relax after mowing that huge lawn
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of relaxes
Every schedule crescendos and relaxes in terms of travel difficulty, but the Broncos have been on a particularly brutal run recently.
—
Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 7 Nov. 2025
That first episode suffers from the need to do so much heavy lifting and feels both overstuffed and overly conventional, but once all the pieces are in place, the show relaxes into itself and its actual voice emerges.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 2 Nov. 2025
Doctors prescribe prazosin, which relaxes blood vessels, to help lower blood pressure.
—CNN Money, 31 Oct. 2025
Where is the mild varietal that recalls an afternoon garden, the smoke that relaxes without disorienting?
—Jahan Marcu, Rolling Stone, 23 Oct. 2025
The structure reopens and relaxes when conditions settle.
—Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 20 Oct. 2025
The second sound – the dub – occurs when the valves leading out of the heart close as the heart relaxes and refills with blood.
—Joshua Hutcheson, The Conversation, 16 Oct. 2025
The plaintiffs—three current students in Brooklyn yeshivas, their parents, and two former students—ask the courts to strike down a new law that relaxes oversight of nonpublic schools.
—Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Sep. 2025
Also, closing your mouth a bit relaxes your jaw muscles and gives you more space back there.
—Elizabeth Cohen, NBC news, 24 Aug. 2025
Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 7 Nov. 2025
That first episode suffers from the need to do so much heavy lifting and feels both overstuffed and overly conventional, but once all the pieces are in place, the show relaxes into itself and its actual voice emerges.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 2 Nov. 2025
Doctors prescribe prazosin, which relaxes blood vessels, to help lower blood pressure.
—CNN Money, 31 Oct. 2025
Where is the mild varietal that recalls an afternoon garden, the smoke that relaxes without disorienting?
—Jahan Marcu, Rolling Stone, 23 Oct. 2025
The structure reopens and relaxes when conditions settle.
—Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 20 Oct. 2025
The second sound – the dub – occurs when the valves leading out of the heart close as the heart relaxes and refills with blood.
—Joshua Hutcheson, The Conversation, 16 Oct. 2025
The plaintiffs—three current students in Brooklyn yeshivas, their parents, and two former students—ask the courts to strike down a new law that relaxes oversight of nonpublic schools.
—Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Sep. 2025
Also, closing your mouth a bit relaxes your jaw muscles and gives you more space back there.
—Elizabeth Cohen, NBC news, 24 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for relaxes
Verb
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And while much of it rests on tradition, this dish’s combination of crispy skin and tender meat appeals to anyone who loves delicious food.—
Taylor Tobin,
Southern Living,
5 Nov. 2025
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The ship now rests in two pieces around 53 miles northwest of Boulder Reef in Lake Michigan.—
Sarah Moore,
Freep.com,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Fortunately, the BreezyClear Pro is equipped to address all the baby’s needs from the beginning to the end of the decongestion process; by briefly misting the nasal passages, the device loosens mucus so its powerful suction can remove it quickly and without fuss.—
Ethan Stone,
USA Today,
28 Oct. 2025
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Ray’s hand loosens its grip on the weapon.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
28 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Lorde's Nashville concert basks in rebirth Lorde walked onto the stage, sauntering down a catwalk as synths pulsed and a white laser beam shined her way.—
Audrey Gibbs,
Nashville Tennessean,
21 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Challengers, including conservative advocacy groups, argue the law unconstitutionally chills political speech and participation.—
Taylor Seely,
AZCentral.com,
27 Sep. 2025
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This kind of political pressure on broadcasters and artists chills free speech and threatens the livelihoods of thousands of working Americans.—
Caitlin Huston,
HollywoodReporter,
18 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Relaxes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/relaxes. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.
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