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
The notice relaxes the safe harbor in reg.
—
Carrie Brandon Elliot, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026
Potassium relaxes the muscles in your blood vessels, helping lower your blood pressure.
—Lindsay Curtis, Verywell Health, 20 Jan. 2026
These medications prevent calcium from entering the muscle cells of blood and heart vessels, which relaxes blood vessels.
—Laura Schober, Health, 16 Jan. 2026
Through meditation, the mind naturally relaxes, settles into the present moment, and grants us access to our consciousness and our own innate intelligence.
—Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Time, 10 Jan. 2026
The Ant and the Grasshopper As the ants work hard to store food for the winter, the grasshopper relaxes in the sunshine without a care in the world.
—Alex Vance, Parents, 2 Jan. 2026
Their nervous system relaxes, and the decision shifts from compliance under pressure to a choice made voluntarily.
—Shadé Zahrai, CNBC, 30 Dec. 2025
Dietary nitric oxide relaxes blood vessels, which then increases blood flow and lowers the risk for high blood pressure, stroke and heart attack.
—Sheah Rarback, Miami Herald, 18 Dec. 2025
In the past few years, multiple states have introduced or enacted legislation that relaxes child-labor laws; in Iowa, for example, a fourteen-year-old now has the opportunity to work in an industrial laundry or a meat freezer.
—Literary Hub, 13 Nov. 2025
Carrie Brandon Elliot, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026
Potassium relaxes the muscles in your blood vessels, helping lower your blood pressure.
—Lindsay Curtis, Verywell Health, 20 Jan. 2026
These medications prevent calcium from entering the muscle cells of blood and heart vessels, which relaxes blood vessels.
—Laura Schober, Health, 16 Jan. 2026
Through meditation, the mind naturally relaxes, settles into the present moment, and grants us access to our consciousness and our own innate intelligence.
—Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Time, 10 Jan. 2026
The Ant and the Grasshopper As the ants work hard to store food for the winter, the grasshopper relaxes in the sunshine without a care in the world.
—Alex Vance, Parents, 2 Jan. 2026
Their nervous system relaxes, and the decision shifts from compliance under pressure to a choice made voluntarily.
—Shadé Zahrai, CNBC, 30 Dec. 2025
Dietary nitric oxide relaxes blood vessels, which then increases blood flow and lowers the risk for high blood pressure, stroke and heart attack.
—Sheah Rarback, Miami Herald, 18 Dec. 2025
In the past few years, multiple states have introduced or enacted legislation that relaxes child-labor laws; in Iowa, for example, a fourteen-year-old now has the opportunity to work in an industrial laundry or a meat freezer.
—Literary Hub, 13 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for relaxes
Verb
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The belief that the Maduro episode could be replicated in Iran also rests on a misleading comparison.—
Sanam Vakil,
Time,
8 Jan. 2026
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But according to multiple sources with direct knowledge of the post-raid landscape, that assumption rests on dangerously fragile ground.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Instead of stimulating the brain, alcohol slows it down and loosens inhibitions.—
Angelica Stabile,
FOXNews.com,
10 Jan. 2026
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If TNF‑α loosens the blood-brain barrier, inflammatory molecules from the blood – as well as disease-causing pathogens – may have increased access to the reward circuitry of the brain, potentially worsening neuronal damage and dysfunction over time.—
Habibeh Khoshbouei,
The Conversation,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The Central Valley city basks in around 265 days of sunshine.—
Stephanie Vermillion,
Outside,
4 Jan. 2026
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Like this Earth sign, this recurring float basks in abundance and is deliciously on-brand with the Thanksgiving staple.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
27 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Apartments in the capital are freezing, and when venturing outside people wear heavy layers of clothes against the bitter cold that chills to the bone.—
Vasilisa Stepanenko,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Jan. 2026
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Winds chills in the mountains could hit 0 to minus 10 degrees, the NWS says.—
Mark Price,
Charlotte Observer,
12 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Below, Usher gives AD a peek into his life in Atlanta, dad duties, and how a hitmaker unwinds at home.—
Audrey Lee,
Architectural Digest,
12 Nov. 2025
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Here are the five scenes where Hollywood still unwinds, one fry, martini and romaine leaf at a time.—
Melinda Sheckells,
HollywoodReporter,
11 Nov. 2025
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 Jan. 2026.
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