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
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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
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
But the new guidance relaxes those limits.
—Sally Pipes, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025
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
But the new guidance relaxes those limits.
—Sally Pipes, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for relaxes
Verb
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Amazon Speaker Deals The Amazon Echo Dot rests on my shelf and basically runs my life.—
Juhi Wadia,
PC Magazine,
7 Oct. 2025
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Moulton’s Senate primary rationale, stated or otherwise, rests on the enduring public image of former President Joe Biden, who withdrew from his 2024 reelection bid after a disastrous debate against Trump revealed limitations of being in office at age 82 and beyond.—
David Mark,
The Washington Examiner,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Ray’s hand loosens its grip on the weapon.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
28 Sep. 2025
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Paired with the vibrations of Tibetan singing bowls, the experience eases jet lag, loosens tight muscles and leaves body and mind in a state of meditative calm.—
Katharina Kotrba,
Forbes.com,
17 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 15 Oct. 2025.
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