as in soothing
tending to calm the emotions and relieve stress
a relaxing cup of chamomile tea
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in chilling
to get rid of nervous tension or anxiety
she took deep breaths to relax before going on stage
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in loosening
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 resting
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of relaxing
Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 31 Jan. 2026
Stick to those consistent sleep and rise times, stay active, establish a relaxing pre-bed routine, and make sure your bedroom is cool, dark, and quiet.
—Jamie Ducharme, Health, 30 Jan. 2026
Its relaxing, luxurious scent comes from its blend of rosemary, sage, lavender, and eucalyptus.
—Melony Forcier, InStyle, 30 Jan. 2026
Designers say people are doubling down on soothing, relaxing, and cozy bedroom colors.
—Melissa Epifano, The Spruce, 30 Jan. 2026
The Ulistac Natural Area is full of walking paths and native plants and serves as a relaxing spot for taking a stroll or birdwatching.
—Michele Herrmann, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Can’t be very relaxing for the bug either.
—Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 26 Jan. 2026
At its best, a living room is a relaxing, comfortable space for rest and recharging.
—Kathy Barnes, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Jan. 2026
Looking for a relaxing way to escape the winter blues?
—Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 18 Jan. 2026
Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 31 Jan. 2026
Cooking and baking are relaxing ways to unwind, try something new and inevitably reap the benefits of the — sweet or savory — break from the digital world.
—Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 31 Jan. 2026
Sleep disturbances While marijuana’s mild sedating and relaxing effects can sometimes help people who have difficulty falling asleep, experts say there are several important things to consider before using it as a sleep aid.
—Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Their pull-on style means no buttons or zippers, making dressing in the morning feel easy, whether you're headed out to the store or relaxing at home.
—Nicole Pyles, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Jan. 2026
Among the launches for loungewear, Chantelle introduced a range of lightweight bras intended for relaxing at home.
—Alex Wynne, Footwear News, 30 Jan. 2026
But their vacation there will surely be far from relaxing.
—Kimi Robinson, USA Today, 29 Jan. 2026
Visitors enjoy fishing, water sports, sailing, or just relaxing on the sandy shores.
—Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 7 Jan. 2026
License to Train Woven Mid-Rise Jogger Celebrities from Oprah to Gwyneth Paltrow and Hailey Bieber have been spotted in track pants recently, and this jogger-style pair is perfect for grabbing coffee with a friend, trying a new yoga class, and relaxing by the fire with a warm cup of tea.
—Emma Greene, InStyle, 6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
From sunset yoga and a world-class spa to leisurely strolls under the live oaks and days spent by the pool, activities at the 20,000-acre resort are numerous—and relaxing.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 31 Jan. 2026
Stick to those consistent sleep and rise times, stay active, establish a relaxing pre-bed routine, and make sure your bedroom is cool, dark, and quiet.
—Jamie Ducharme, Health, 30 Jan. 2026
Its relaxing, luxurious scent comes from its blend of rosemary, sage, lavender, and eucalyptus.
—Melony Forcier, InStyle, 30 Jan. 2026
Designers say people are doubling down on soothing, relaxing, and cozy bedroom colors.
—Melissa Epifano, The Spruce, 30 Jan. 2026
The Ulistac Natural Area is full of walking paths and native plants and serves as a relaxing spot for taking a stroll or birdwatching.
—Michele Herrmann, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Can’t be very relaxing for the bug either.
—Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 26 Jan. 2026
At its best, a living room is a relaxing, comfortable space for rest and recharging.
—Kathy Barnes, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Jan. 2026
Looking for a relaxing way to escape the winter blues?
—Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 18 Jan. 2026
Verb
The best lounge sets work for more than just relaxing around the house.
—Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 31 Jan. 2026
Cooking and baking are relaxing ways to unwind, try something new and inevitably reap the benefits of the — sweet or savory — break from the digital world.
—Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 31 Jan. 2026
Sleep disturbances While marijuana’s mild sedating and relaxing effects can sometimes help people who have difficulty falling asleep, experts say there are several important things to consider before using it as a sleep aid.
—Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Their pull-on style means no buttons or zippers, making dressing in the morning feel easy, whether you're headed out to the store or relaxing at home.
—Nicole Pyles, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Jan. 2026
Among the launches for loungewear, Chantelle introduced a range of lightweight bras intended for relaxing at home.
—Alex Wynne, Footwear News, 30 Jan. 2026
But their vacation there will surely be far from relaxing.
—Kimi Robinson, USA Today, 29 Jan. 2026
Visitors enjoy fishing, water sports, sailing, or just relaxing on the sandy shores.
—Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 7 Jan. 2026
License to Train Woven Mid-Rise Jogger Celebrities from Oprah to Gwyneth Paltrow and Hailey Bieber have been spotted in track pants recently, and this jogger-style pair is perfect for grabbing coffee with a friend, trying a new yoga class, and relaxing by the fire with a warm cup of tea.
—Emma Greene, InStyle, 6 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for relaxing
Adjective
-
In a social, psychological context, Masli is a facilitator, a quirky social worker with a golden leg for an arm, an upswept hairstyle that’s half hair and half hat, a makeshift blue gown that might’ve once been a blanket and a soft-spoken soothing presence.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Being loved does not always feel soothing.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Bruceriver Pure Wool Knit Gloves Cold hands can ruin even the best winter day, which is why wool gloves are non-negotiable in bone-chilling cold.—
Ariana Dickson,
Travel + Leisure,
28 Jan. 2026
-
The death toll from this weekend’s bone-chilling winter storm, has climbed to eight, with city officials investigating how so many New Yorkers lost their lives on the streets and whether the deaths were caused by the extreme cold.—
Josephine Stratman,
New York Daily News,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Push-Ups to Downward-Facing Dog This strength-stretch combo move activates the chest, core, and arms while loosening the hamstrings and calves.—
Jenny McCoy,
Outside,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Its hundreds of pressure points help stimulate circulation, relieving tension and loosening muscles.—
Deanna Pai,
Vogue,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Reducing resting heart rate and blood pressure can also help improve your athletic performance.—
Cheyenne Buckingham,
SELF,
6 Feb. 2026
-
The pose involves lying on the floor with the legs resting vertically against a wall.—
Chloe Burcham,
Vogue,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Evenings are low-key, whether that means gallery hopping near the historical Taos Plaza (don’t miss the Taos Artist Collective), savoring hatch chile–spiked New Mexican dishes at spots like La Cueva Café and Michael’s Kitchen, or unwinding at wine bars such as Corner Office and Barra Vino.—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Other potential legal remedies might include unwinding OpenAI’s current structure, preventing any future IPO, or forcing Microsoft to divest—all things that could significantly complicate OpenAI’s future plans.—
Billy Perrigo,
Time,
20 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Kennamer said that Tuesday, after some sunny days, iguanas were waking up, basking and not compliant.—
Bill Kearney,
Sun Sentinel,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Velez and Rivera are still basking in a historic night for the artist at the Grammys.—
Victor Jacobo,
CBS News,
4 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The couple's daughter recalled a warm and comforting childhood.—
Nicole Nielsen,
CBS News,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Some of the behaviors most strongly associated with deep, durable love don’t feel comforting in the moment at all.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The blend of flower extracts, among them jasmine, orchid, lavender, and blue lotus, lend the bath a floral fragrance—ideal for decompressing after a long day.—
Deanna Pai,
Vogue,
19 Jan. 2026
-
The shorter the line, the less likely there will be a melt down (and melt downs mean having to spend precious time decompressing someplace quiet, or possibly having to end the entire excursion early and going back to the hotel).—
Priscilla Blossom,
Parents,
2 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Relaxing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/relaxing. Accessed 7 Feb. 2026.
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