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
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
More tournaments to come While Yount has developed a near-superpower of watching 12 mats at once, Smith, for the most part, relaxes in his seat and enjoys the show at Ball Arena while Yount scribbles on his brackets.
—Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 21 Feb. 2026
Advertisement The ruling also relaxes limits on a number of other pollutants released by burning coal, such as arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead, and nickel.
—Simmone Shah, Time, 20 Feb. 2026
House Bill 267 relaxes funding restrictions to the State Housing Initiatives Program, known as SHIP, which provides local governments with money to promote housing affordability for residents.
—Max Klaver, Miami Herald, 13 Feb. 2026
Néfissa relaxes with all generations of her sprawling family.
—Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 13 Feb. 2026
When temperatures drop below 32 degrees after dark, the city activates enhanced Code Blue, which intensifies outreach and relaxes shelter rules to bring more people indoors.
—Jeffrey Ginsburg, New York Daily News, 9 Feb. 2026
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
More tournaments to come While Yount has developed a near-superpower of watching 12 mats at once, Smith, for the most part, relaxes in his seat and enjoys the show at Ball Arena while Yount scribbles on his brackets.
—Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 21 Feb. 2026
Advertisement The ruling also relaxes limits on a number of other pollutants released by burning coal, such as arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead, and nickel.
—Simmone Shah, Time, 20 Feb. 2026
House Bill 267 relaxes funding restrictions to the State Housing Initiatives Program, known as SHIP, which provides local governments with money to promote housing affordability for residents.
—Max Klaver, Miami Herald, 13 Feb. 2026
Néfissa relaxes with all generations of her sprawling family.
—Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 13 Feb. 2026
When temperatures drop below 32 degrees after dark, the city activates enhanced Code Blue, which intensifies outreach and relaxes shelter rules to bring more people indoors.
—Jeffrey Ginsburg, New York Daily News, 9 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for relaxes
Verb
-
Much of the progress toward eliminating sleeping sickness rests on the work of African researchers and patients who took part in the trials, despite difficult conditions.—
Fran Kritz,
NPR,
16 Mar. 2026
-
From unspoken racial dynamics, like Sid rejecting Tia in favor of her white friends, to the economic worries that become entwined with her self-image, Sid’s precarious new social position rests on a knife’s edge.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
House Bill 1095 is a good piece of legislation tarred by a bad amendment that loosens requirements for public notices.—
The Denver Post Editorial Board,
Denver Post,
28 Feb. 2026
-
Raking also loosens the soil which will provide better seed-to-soil contact.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The longstanding vacation spot basks in 343 sunny days a year, perfect for lounging on white-quartz sands or marveling at nature both above and below the water.—
Symiah Dorsey,
Southern Living,
12 Mar. 2026
-
The Central Valley city basks in around 265 days of sunshine.—
Stephanie Vermillion,
Outside,
4 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The lawsuit, whose defendants include the Department of Homeland Security, argues that federal officers' use of such munitions is a retaliation against protesters that chills their First Amendment rights.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
11 Mar. 2026
-
The suit names the Department of Homeland Security and argues that officers’ use of chemical munitions amounts to retaliation that chills First Amendment rights.—
Landon Mion,
FOXNews.com,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
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After a day on the river or in the hills, this is where Reno unwinds.—
Ted Alvarez,
Outside,
4 Mar. 2026
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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
-
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 20 Mar. 2026.
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