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
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Recent Examples of relaxing
AFAR Media, 25 Oct. 2025
One of the most relaxing parts of the day is burrowing under your blankets before drifting off to sleep.
—Rylee Johnston, PEOPLE, 20 Oct. 2025
Take a waterfall jaunt at DuPont State Park, a visit to the North Carolina Arboretum, or a relaxing autumn afternoon along Lake Lure.
—Stephanie Vermillion, Travel + Leisure, 20 Oct. 2025
This beverage tastes like a relaxing day on a beautiful beach.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 8 Oct. 2025
Cooking can be a relaxing, meditative act—that is, until your eyes start to sting unbearably.
—Maria Morava, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Oct. 2025
Style them with a chic stack of coffee table books, a candle, and a small lamp to set the tone for a relaxing night in.
—Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Oct. 2025
Incorporate rewards that motivate you, such as a relaxing bath, healthy snack, or movie night.
—Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, Health, 2 Oct. 2025
Meanwhile, Sami, a city boy ashamed of his roots, arrives for a relaxing weekend on his family farm.
—Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 27 Sep. 2025
Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Oct. 2025
Magnesium supports sleep by relaxing muscles and calming the nervous system, whereas melatonin primarily helps regulate your sleep-wake cycle.
—Megan Nunn, Verywell Health, 28 Oct. 2025
On a clear but chilly autumn day, Poa Pohjola and her partner Wilhelm Blomberg are relaxing in their Helsinki apartment while their baby naps outside on the balcony, in traditional Finnish style.
—Sarah McCammon, NPR, 27 Oct. 2025
The tough part was relaxing the muscles in her tiny neck, which meant pinning Saša on the ground and rotating her shoulders around her head.
—Sean Williams, Outside, 27 Oct. 2025
Botox is still a relatively new way of treating TMJ; it is reported to help ease jaw tension, headaches, and other symptoms by relaxing the muscles.
—Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 26 Oct. 2025
Dreaming of a relaxing vacation with breathtaking views?
—Sacbee.com, 26 Oct. 2025
Benefits of Heat Therapy Heat therapy increases tissue temperature and blood flow to your back, relaxing muscles and improving pain.
—Rikkilynn Shields Hannigan, Health, 25 Oct. 2025
Martha Stewart Signature Comfort Stretch Boxy Modern Top The knit layer is made from a slightly stretchy material that is comfortable enough to wear while relaxing at home, but the boxy design adds structure that bodes well for brunch plans or running errands.
—Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
Golfers can play a round at the renowned Torrey Pines golf course, and for those looking for a more relaxing experience, a hike through Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve offers incredible coastal views in the last surviving home of the namesake tree in the continental United States.
—AFAR Media, 25 Oct. 2025
One of the most relaxing parts of the day is burrowing under your blankets before drifting off to sleep.
—Rylee Johnston, PEOPLE, 20 Oct. 2025
Take a waterfall jaunt at DuPont State Park, a visit to the North Carolina Arboretum, or a relaxing autumn afternoon along Lake Lure.
—Stephanie Vermillion, Travel + Leisure, 20 Oct. 2025
This beverage tastes like a relaxing day on a beautiful beach.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 8 Oct. 2025
Cooking can be a relaxing, meditative act—that is, until your eyes start to sting unbearably.
—Maria Morava, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Oct. 2025
Style them with a chic stack of coffee table books, a candle, and a small lamp to set the tone for a relaxing night in.
—Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Oct. 2025
Incorporate rewards that motivate you, such as a relaxing bath, healthy snack, or movie night.
—Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, Health, 2 Oct. 2025
Meanwhile, Sami, a city boy ashamed of his roots, arrives for a relaxing weekend on his family farm.
—Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 27 Sep. 2025
Verb
Use planters, string lights, lanterns, and pillows to add extra color and texture to your relaxing outdoor space.
—Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Oct. 2025
Magnesium supports sleep by relaxing muscles and calming the nervous system, whereas melatonin primarily helps regulate your sleep-wake cycle.
—Megan Nunn, Verywell Health, 28 Oct. 2025
On a clear but chilly autumn day, Poa Pohjola and her partner Wilhelm Blomberg are relaxing in their Helsinki apartment while their baby naps outside on the balcony, in traditional Finnish style.
—Sarah McCammon, NPR, 27 Oct. 2025
The tough part was relaxing the muscles in her tiny neck, which meant pinning Saša on the ground and rotating her shoulders around her head.
—Sean Williams, Outside, 27 Oct. 2025
Botox is still a relatively new way of treating TMJ; it is reported to help ease jaw tension, headaches, and other symptoms by relaxing the muscles.
—Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 26 Oct. 2025
Dreaming of a relaxing vacation with breathtaking views?
—Sacbee.com, 26 Oct. 2025
Benefits of Heat Therapy Heat therapy increases tissue temperature and blood flow to your back, relaxing muscles and improving pain.
—Rikkilynn Shields Hannigan, Health, 25 Oct. 2025
Martha Stewart Signature Comfort Stretch Boxy Modern Top The knit layer is made from a slightly stretchy material that is comfortable enough to wear while relaxing at home, but the boxy design adds structure that bodes well for brunch plans or running errands.
—Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 24 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for relaxing
Adjective
-
Everyday Dal The warming, soothing and downright healing effects of dal are well known throughout South Asia and its diaspora.—
The New York Times News Service Syndicate,
Denver Post,
22 Oct. 2025
-
The formula itself is quite gentle—hyaluronic acid, glycerin, vitamin B5, and the label’s prebiotic thermal water come together for a versatile serum apt at hydrating, soothing, and strengthening the skin barrier.—
Deanna Pai,
Vogue,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The film — part chilling revenge thriller and part absurd slapstick — is riveting.—
Baz Bamigboye,
Deadline,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Shared in October by u/pizzalogdong, the pictures show the gray tabby comfortably chilling inside a carrier, as her kittens are wrapped up in warm blankets by the poster.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Currently, six out of these ten are triggered, including elevated price-to-earnings ratios, extreme outperformance of high-multiple stocks compared to cheaper ones, and loosening credit conditions.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
22 Oct. 2025
-
Goldman also reported that the labor market is loosening, meaning there are more workers than jobs, to levels not seen in 10 years.—
Jeff Cox,
CNBC,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Another image showed a photo of two people resting their feet on an outdoor fire pit, overlooking a river.—
Angel Saunders,
PEOPLE,
23 Oct. 2025
-
This risks one dish getting cold or resting too long while the other is cooking.—
Adam Campbell-Schmitt,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Despite how often these beverages market themselves as social, the rest were solo situations, like relieving pain or unwinding at home.—
Kate Bernot,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
29 Oct. 2025
-
The year ended with Tice unwinding at a pool party with FSA rebels, according to a post from him in the early hours of August 12.—
Rob Picheta,
CNN Money,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Along with other royals, like King Constantine of Greece and their families, Juan Carlos and Diana were frequently photographed enjoying the sun on his royal yacht, Fortuna, and basking in the Spanish summer.—
Meredith Kile,
PEOPLE,
29 Oct. 2025
-
A week after looking aghast in Tampa Bay at the 49ers’ injury-riddled plight, Williams had a different view of things this past Sunday night, all while basking in the glow of victory and a 5-2 record.—
Cam Inman,
Mercury News,
23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Make the hearty and comforting flavors of taco soup a bit more rich with this creamy taco soup recipe.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Dishes like wild halibut with Jimmy Nardello peppers and spaghetti with squash and spinach feel nourishing and comforting, but never boring.—
Jocelyn Silver,
Vogue,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Kaprizov spent much of his summer in Russia hiking with friends, miles from cell service, decompressing from a trying season that went from being an early Hart Trophy candidate to missing 41 games with a lower body injury.—
John Shipley,
Twin Cities,
10 Sep. 2025
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This decompressing period changed the ecosystem a lot of what’s going on [inside me].—
Lily Ford,
HollywoodReporter,
9 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Relaxing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/relaxing. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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