Synonyms of relaxing

relaxing 1 of 2

adjective

as in soothing

tending to calm the emotions and relieve stress

a relaxing cup of chamomile tea

Synonyms & Similar Words

• soothing
• tranquilizing
• comforting
• calming
• hypnotic
• quieting
• sedative
• dreamy
• narcotic
• lulling
• depressant
• opiate
• pacifying
• analgesic
• deadening
• anesthetic
• anodyne
• antidepressant
• antianxiety
• numbing
• antistress
• antidepression

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• painful
• stressful
• tiresome
• troubling
• unsettling
• trying
• stimulating
• worrisome
• stimulant
• troublesome
• frustrating
• disturbing
• annoying
• energizing
• irritating
• aggravating
• invigorating
• bothersome
• maddening
• exasperating
• irksome
• vexatious
• vexing
• galling
• harassing
• grating
• nettlesome

relaxing

2 of 2

verb

present participle of relax

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

• chilling
• resting
• unwinding
• decompressing
• basking
• de-stressing
• hanging loose
• loosening up
• winding down
• calming
• composing
• mellowing (out)
• lounging
• chilling out
• comforting
• settling
• lazing
• relieving
• loafing
• cooling
• idling
• lolling
• alleviating
• bumming
• reposing
• unbending
• hanging (around or out)
• easing
• quieting
• vegetating
• dawdling
• kicking back
• droning
• hacking (around)
• goofing (off)
• dillydallying
• vegging out
• zoning out
• footling
• dallying

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• tensing (up)

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

• loosening
• slacking
• slackening
• easing
• detaching
• freeing
• untying
• undoing
• unfastening
• unbinding

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• stretching
• tightening
• straining
• binding
• tying
• attaching
• tensing
• fastening
• restraining
• tensioning
• constraining

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

• resting
• basking
• lounging
• hanging
• reposing
• lolling
• kicking back
• idling
• loafing
• hanging around
• bumming
• slacking (off)
• hanging about
• vegging out
• goldbricking

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• working
• laboring
• struggling
• striving
• sweating
• plowing
• plugging
• plodding
• hustling
• straining
• toiling
• slaving
• grubbing
• pegging (away)
• slogging
• exercising
• humping
• drudging
• working out
• travailing
• moiling

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of relaxing

Adjective

Optics expert, Jase Parnell-Brookes, gave them four stars in their full Canon 18x50 binoculars review for enabling a relaxing and impressive session of stargazing. — Harry Bennett, Space.com, 20 July 2026

Skip visually abrasive color palettes that don’t feel calming or relaxing. — Ashley Chalmers, The Spruce, 20 July 2026

Rain barrels fall into the same category; they, too, can be hidden and concealed to maintain curb appeal and create a relaxing outdoor oasis. — Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 July 2026

Surrounding the entire park in a huge loop is the Disneyland Railroad, which is both a relaxing ride and an easy way to get from one end of the park to the other. — Julie Tremaine, PEOPLE, 17 July 2026

Now the home of Marcus and Katherine Padgett, the Old Grace Lutheran Church will be open for a relaxing evening with the duo Kendra Grittani and Allie Simpson. — Melinda Moore, Chicago Tribune, 17 July 2026

Inferno is immersive and psychedelic but not necessarily in the relaxing way the words usually convey. — Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 8 July 2026

Kate Hudson enjoyed a relaxing beach day with her kids, 7-year-old Rani and 14-year-old Bingham, in Athens, Greece. — Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 2 July 2026

Patio lights Having warm and inviting outdoor lighting can help set a relaxing evening mood. — Bestreviews, Mercury News, 29 June 2026

Verb

For honeymooners seeking a relaxing post-wedding respite or duos in need of a quick getaway, the property's cozy cabins overlooking the Shenandoah Valley are the answer. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 July 2026

My advice is to visit sooner rather than later, and enjoy walking the villages, exploring the landscape, relaxing with a cider, and marveling at the surroundings. — Nigel Hack, Travel + Leisure, 21 July 2026

Changing Views On Pot Prompt Workplace Policy Changes The increase in positivity rates comes as attitudes to cannabis are relaxing and policies are changing. — A.j. Herrington, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026

Larry the Cat, who has lived at 10 Downing Street for the last 15 years, has been spotted relaxing this morning, seemingly unfazed by all the media gathered outside. — Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 20 July 2026

If relaxing is more your speed, grab a glass of Chablis, settle into an Adirondack chair with a good book, and watch the sunlight dance across the lily pads. — Alexandra Emanuelli, Southern Living, 20 July 2026

In a nail polish, turquoise conjures up images of relaxing poolside or splashing along the shore. — Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 18 July 2026

For many of us, summer means relaxing days by the pool or at the beach. — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 13 July 2026

Lindsay shared a glimpse into the celebrations, kicking off her post showing her view while relaxing on a lounge chair on the beach. — Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 9 July 2026