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.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of relaxing
Joseph M. Singer,
HollywoodReporter,
29 June 2026
Patio lights Having warm and inviting outdoor lighting can help set a relaxing evening mood.
—
Bestreviews,
Mercury News,
29 June 2026
Here's how to turn a visit into a relaxing and luxurious weekend trip.
—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 June 2026
Ahead are 12 items to never bring on a flight, along with smart swaps that will make your next trip smoother, easier, and far more relaxing.
—
Carin Ryan,
Travel + Leisure,
26 June 2026
These zero-gravity lounge chairs can help turn an ordinary patio, deck, or backyard into a relaxing retreat.
—
Toni Sutton,
PEOPLE,
26 June 2026
Or nestle into a sandy spot for a relaxing day on the beach.
—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
23 June 2026
Vacations are exciting, relaxing, and a great way to disconnect, but nothing brings you back to reality faster than returning to a messy home.
—
Kristina McGuirk,
Better Homes & Gardens,
20 June 2026
Chamomile Tea Chamomile is an herb known for its relaxing effects.
—
Carrie Madormo,
Verywell Health,
20 June 2026
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
1 July 2026
But Wright was relaxing in a hammock when those words came to him; Thomson, in the stiff upholstery of the multiplex, is worse off.
—
Dan Piepenbring,
Harpers Magazine,
30 June 2026
Start with a few poses that feel comfortable to you and focus on slow breathing and relaxing into each position throughout the session.
—
Rikkilynn Shields Hannigan,
Health,
30 June 2026
The family of five appeared to be settling into the area nicely, as Messi posted a series of photos on Instagram of himself and Roccuzzo relaxing poolside with their kids that July.
—
Jacklyn Krol,
PEOPLE,
28 June 2026
Spend an hour or two relaxing in the lagoon before continuing to Skálholt.
—
Abby Price,
Travel + Leisure,
28 June 2026
For entertaining, the Ebern Designs conversation set, which comfortably seats three, is worth a look, while an oversized recliner chair for under $200 is perfect for afternoon reading sessions and relaxing in the sun.
—
Better Homes & Gardens,
27 June 2026
With a spacious design, durable construction, and charming look, it’s bound to be your go-to retreat for morning coffee, afternoon reading, or evening relaxing.
—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
25 June 2026
The line between relaxing and researching disappears – and so does the line between watching other creators and measuring yourself against them.
—
Ashley Hass,
The Conversation,
24 June 2026
Adjective
Audiences want a quiet, efficient, relaxing, fun, visually engaging, communal experience unavailable at home.
—
Joseph M. Singer,
HollywoodReporter,
29 June 2026
Patio lights Having warm and inviting outdoor lighting can help set a relaxing evening mood.
—
Bestreviews,
Mercury News,
29 June 2026
Here's how to turn a visit into a relaxing and luxurious weekend trip.
—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 June 2026
Ahead are 12 items to never bring on a flight, along with smart swaps that will make your next trip smoother, easier, and far more relaxing.
—
Carin Ryan,
Travel + Leisure,
26 June 2026
These zero-gravity lounge chairs can help turn an ordinary patio, deck, or backyard into a relaxing retreat.
—
Toni Sutton,
PEOPLE,
26 June 2026
Or nestle into a sandy spot for a relaxing day on the beach.
—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
23 June 2026
Vacations are exciting, relaxing, and a great way to disconnect, but nothing brings you back to reality faster than returning to a messy home.
—
Kristina McGuirk,
Better Homes & Gardens,
20 June 2026
Chamomile Tea Chamomile is an herb known for its relaxing effects.
—
Carrie Madormo,
Verywell Health,
20 June 2026
Verb
Iguanas are everywhere, relaxing around and even inside the pools—a further stamp of approval from nature itself.
—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
1 July 2026
But Wright was relaxing in a hammock when those words came to him; Thomson, in the stiff upholstery of the multiplex, is worse off.
—
Dan Piepenbring,
Harpers Magazine,
30 June 2026
Start with a few poses that feel comfortable to you and focus on slow breathing and relaxing into each position throughout the session.
—
Rikkilynn Shields Hannigan,
Health,
30 June 2026
The family of five appeared to be settling into the area nicely, as Messi posted a series of photos on Instagram of himself and Roccuzzo relaxing poolside with their kids that July.
—
Jacklyn Krol,
PEOPLE,
28 June 2026
Spend an hour or two relaxing in the lagoon before continuing to Skálholt.
—
Abby Price,
Travel + Leisure,
28 June 2026
For entertaining, the Ebern Designs conversation set, which comfortably seats three, is worth a look, while an oversized recliner chair for under $200 is perfect for afternoon reading sessions and relaxing in the sun.
—
Better Homes & Gardens,
27 June 2026
With a spacious design, durable construction, and charming look, it’s bound to be your go-to retreat for morning coffee, afternoon reading, or evening relaxing.
—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
25 June 2026
The line between relaxing and researching disappears – and so does the line between watching other creators and measuring yourself against them.
—
Ashley Hass,
The Conversation,
24 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for relaxing
Adjective
-
The space has a dramatic 28-foot Palladian rotunda, a saltwater soaking tub, a sauna, a steam room and a wall of water that creates a soothing, flowing sound.
-
That leaves us with smart solutions and savvy helpers that are specifically designed to minimize the heat, remove stuffiness, and provide soothing, cooling relief.
Verb
-
Great for running errands, chilling on the couch, or curling up on a redeye flight, this sporty set can do it all.
-
The good news is that many of these risks are preventable with simple habits like cleaning, separating raw foods, cooking thoroughly, and chilling foods promptly.
Verb
-
Matching trousers stayed narrow through the hips before loosening down the leg into a slight flare.
-
The Supreme Court on Tuesday sided with congressional Republicans in further loosening campaign finance limits, a decision likely to upend how political parties funnel millions of dollars into TV ads in the upcoming midterm elections.
Verb
-
Following the convincing 3-0 victory over Czechia while resting some starters, the atmosphere on the Mexican team has been very relaxed, with several videos showing the players joking around with each other.
-
On the facing page was Gompers’s block print/line drawing of the Tibetan saint and poet Milarepa sitting in a lotus position, a Sierra cup at his feet, and a Campingaz Bleuet stove resting on a boulder.
Adjective
-
Sora is all about cooking to preserve memories, especially those of his late mother, believing food should be both comforting and refined.
-
One of the daily specials, a creamy risotto accented with a bold red pepper puree and blackened shrimp, caught my eye and satisfied my cravings for something comforting.
Verb
-
Across Silicon Valley, the era of unlimited perks is quietly unwinding.
-
Gold saw its largest quarterly decline in 13 years, further unwinding last year's monster run.
Verb
-
Gratitude on a stage has rarely seemed more palpable than in Williams basking in the glow of the arena roar; here is someone who, in the spirit of Dylan and the actual words of Doe, has been beyond and back.
-
New Yorkers are still basking in the afterglow of the Knicks’ first NBA title in 53 years, so this week’s rye whiskey cocktail is for them.
Adjective
-
Its anti-aging moisturizer also uses hyaluronic acid, jojoba oil, and peptides to complement the retinol and round out the smoothing, calming, strengthening, and hydrating benefits.
-
That might mean slipping on an eye mask, starting a calming podcast, and sipping water or herbal tea.
Cite this Entry
“Relaxing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/relaxing. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
