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

Designed for both entertaining and relaxing, Contigo offers multiple indoor and outdoor lounge spaces across her decks. —Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 12 Mar. 2026

Taking public transportation to work can be a relaxing and pleasant experience if the options are clean, reliable, and safe. —Torrey Snow, Baltimore Sun, 11 Mar. 2026

For families with younger children especially, a quieter resort setting can make the trip far more relaxing for everyone. —Lauren Schuster, Kansas City Star, 10 Mar. 2026

To create a relaxing bedtime environment, consider adopting a pre-bedtime ritual, says Allison Harvey, a professor and clinical psychologist at the University of California, Berkeley. —Brittney Melton, NPR, 10 Mar. 2026

If horseback riding and hiking aren't really your thing, opt to spend your mornings practicing yoga or gliding along the zip-line course before booking a relaxing treatment at the full-service spa. —Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 4 Mar. 2026

After a day of perfecting your pop-ups, take a soothing dip in the property’s infinity pool, set amidst lush greens for a truly relaxing scene. —Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 26 Feb. 2026

Like the den, the walls of the guest house are painted a warm green hue for a relaxing feel. —Lisa Boone, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2026

Indulging in Breakfast Cocktails Alcohol has a powerful relaxing effect and can quickly drain your energy. —Carrie Madormo, Verywell Health, 17 Feb. 2026

Verb

Recognizing these and other common issues many pregnant and postpartum women experience while using the toilet, Ohio-originating smart toilet manufacturer Uncle Brown engineered a solution that makes using the bathroom a comfortable and relaxing experience. —Ethan Stone, USA Today, 15 Mar. 2026

Guests can enjoy the inn’s private gardens and one of its four relaxing pools, which were inspired by Hemingway’s nearby estate. —Teaghan Skulszki, Travel + Leisure, 15 Mar. 2026

Additionally, 8 different parks line the perimeter of the lake, including beaches for sunbathing or relaxing with a good book and campsite spots. —Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 13 Mar. 2026

President Joe Biden attempted to appease Iran by relaxing sanctions, another ploy that failed. —Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2026

On Friday afternoon, the Folsom Lake shoreline was busy with people walking, relaxing, and enjoying the cool but comfortable weather. —Conor McGill, CBS News, 13 Mar. 2026

In 2021, Raleigh, North Carolina, responded to a wave of new residents by relaxing its zoning laws for multifamily housing. —Rogé Karma, The Atlantic, 12 Mar. 2026

High Heel Jungle socks combine luxury comfort with performance features designed for both active and relaxing moments. —Tory Johnson, ABC News, 7 Mar. 2026

The health effects of relaxing vaccine mandates would extend far beyond individual cases. —A.j. Russo, Baltimore Sun, 5 Mar. 2026