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
Inhalers often contain albuterol, a bronchodilator that relaxes the muscles and opens up the airway.
—
Carrie Madormo, Verywell Health, 22 Apr. 2026
Pete Davidson relaxes backstage before taking to the carpet for CinemaCon to promote his upcoming film How to Rob a Bank in Las Vegas on April 15.
—Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 19 Apr. 2026
Our method relaxes that constraint, allowing scientists to explore materials that were not practical before.
—Andrei Derevianko, The Conversation, 14 Apr. 2026
Exhaling occurs when the diaphragm relaxes and the chest recoils.
—Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2026
Both are normal responses as the body relaxes.
—Sara Moniuszko, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026
Don’t be afraid to suggest budget caps for group plans, because everyone relaxes when guidelines are simple and visible.
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 12 Mar. 2026
Rising Star in Beverly Hills Gable relaxes on the veranda of his new Beverly Hills rental home in this 1931 photo, which accompanied an article in Screenland magazine.
—Katie Schultz, Architectural Digest, 24 Feb. 2026
In the clip, Megan relaxes on a hotel bed wearing a long, bombshell-blonde wig in the most divine blend of honeyed shades, styled in lush, loose waves by her hairstylist Kellon Deryck.
—Kara Nesvig, Allure, 23 Feb. 2026
Carrie Madormo, Verywell Health, 22 Apr. 2026
Pete Davidson relaxes backstage before taking to the carpet for CinemaCon to promote his upcoming film How to Rob a Bank in Las Vegas on April 15.
—Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 19 Apr. 2026
Our method relaxes that constraint, allowing scientists to explore materials that were not practical before.
—Andrei Derevianko, The Conversation, 14 Apr. 2026
Exhaling occurs when the diaphragm relaxes and the chest recoils.
—Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2026
Both are normal responses as the body relaxes.
—Sara Moniuszko, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026
Don’t be afraid to suggest budget caps for group plans, because everyone relaxes when guidelines are simple and visible.
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 12 Mar. 2026
Rising Star in Beverly Hills Gable relaxes on the veranda of his new Beverly Hills rental home in this 1931 photo, which accompanied an article in Screenland magazine.
—Katie Schultz, Architectural Digest, 24 Feb. 2026
In the clip, Megan relaxes on a hotel bed wearing a long, bombshell-blonde wig in the most divine blend of honeyed shades, styled in lush, loose waves by her hairstylist Kellon Deryck.
—Kara Nesvig, Allure, 23 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for relaxes
Verb
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Somebody who is just living greatness and never rests on that laurel but is always pushing herself to expand as an artist.—
Bailey Richards,
PEOPLE,
21 Apr. 2026
-
And never rests on that laurel but is always pushing herself to expand as an artist.—
Yi-Jin Yu,
ABC News,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Note the control and tightness of the hatched lines on the cheek, and the way the mark loosens with the locks of hair right next to it, like wind rushing around a building.—
Zachary Fine,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
-
The bill also loosens rules around building increasingly popular accessory dwelling units (ADUs) — such as granny flats, in-law suites or backyard cottages — alongside existing structures.—
Bob Woods,
CNBC,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
As humanity basks in the aftermath of the unprecedented success of Artemis II, which took humans back to the Moon for the first time in 54 years and brought them farther from Earth than ever before, many of us can’t help but think about grander goals.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
22 Apr. 2026
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Floorboards and beige walls didn’t do much to set the mood, but they were beautifully accompanied by period furniture and lamps, that kept the post-war vibe the rest of the hotel basks in.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The current crisis in Iran has sent memories bubbling to the surface for the collective, and chills down the spines of viewers.—
Chloe Shrager,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Uncertainty chills the market TOPSHOT - Smoke rises from the direction of an energy installation in the Gulf emirate of Fujairah on March 14, 2026.—
Greg Iacurci,
CNBC,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
After a day on the river or in the hills, this is where Reno unwinds.—
Ted Alvarez,
Outside,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Franny unwinds the silk scarf from her neck and pulls back her long hair, which is still damp with sweat from the rush to board.—
Danielle Parker,
CBS News,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Using contoured foam rollers built into an adjustable frame, the bed gently decompresses the spine while massaging muscles along the way.—
Joe Jackson,
Outside,
20 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Relaxes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/relaxes. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
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