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
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Recent Examples of relaxing
Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 19 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
But with some adjustments, your evening routine can feel much more relaxing.
—Caroline Lubinsky, Martha Stewart, 16 Feb. 2026
Students in Louisville and surrounding Kentucky counties are nearing the end of the school year, and a relaxing spring break could be just what many need to push through the final stretch.
—Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 16 Feb. 2026
Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn To some, going home is a relaxing retreat full of motherly love and too much food.
—Amanda Favazza, Southern Living, 15 Feb. 2026
After a long, illustrious investing career, others would enjoy a relaxing retirement, but Jim is devoted to giving back to his Club Members.
—CNBC, 13 Feb. 2026
Due to the unpleasant taste of kava, many companies will blend their kava tea with other ingredients to add flavor and additional relaxing effects.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2026
Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 22 Feb. 2026
In conjunction with a relaxing lavender and tea tree scent, there’s also a botanical blend of fumaria tea and swertia japonica extract to soothe irritation, boost circulation, and promote a healthier scalp environment.
—Lily Wohlner, Allure, 22 Feb. 2026
Long-haul travelers can opt for a head and shoulder reliever or a fragrant, relaxing bath infused with indigenous flowers.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Feb. 2026
Leveleve Balcony Furniture 5-Piece Patio Conversation Set For truly stretching out and relaxing, this five-piece set includes two chairs with extendable footrests for reclining—then the footrest tuck neatly underneath the chairs when not in use.
—Melanie Fincher, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Feb. 2026
They are typically placed directly on the bed and used during sleep, though some people also use them on the couch while relaxing.
—Miami Herald, 19 Feb. 2026
Camping, decorating cookies, walking by the lake, watching my daughters play sports or perform, relaxing on our deck with our two dogs.
—Alec Johnson, jsonline.com, 18 Feb. 2026
The food is also elevated a bit from the typical Mexican fare, making Perro Salado a great place for a date night, relaxing group dinner or anything in between.
—Will Richmond, The Providence Journal, 14 Feb. 2026
What does relaxing look like for an Olympic speedskater?
—Sean Nevin, NBC news, 14 Feb. 2026
Adjective
Stay overnight at Lake Arrowhead Resort and Spa for a relaxing evening of waterfront dining and alpine views from its private beach.
—Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 19 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
But with some adjustments, your evening routine can feel much more relaxing.
—Caroline Lubinsky, Martha Stewart, 16 Feb. 2026
Students in Louisville and surrounding Kentucky counties are nearing the end of the school year, and a relaxing spring break could be just what many need to push through the final stretch.
—Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 16 Feb. 2026
Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn To some, going home is a relaxing retreat full of motherly love and too much food.
—Amanda Favazza, Southern Living, 15 Feb. 2026
After a long, illustrious investing career, others would enjoy a relaxing retirement, but Jim is devoted to giving back to his Club Members.
—CNBC, 13 Feb. 2026
Due to the unpleasant taste of kava, many companies will blend their kava tea with other ingredients to add flavor and additional relaxing effects.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2026
Verb
Upgrade your outdoor space, refresh your living room, style a relaxing bedroom, and get your dining room ready for entertaining.
—Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 22 Feb. 2026
In conjunction with a relaxing lavender and tea tree scent, there’s also a botanical blend of fumaria tea and swertia japonica extract to soothe irritation, boost circulation, and promote a healthier scalp environment.
—Lily Wohlner, Allure, 22 Feb. 2026
Long-haul travelers can opt for a head and shoulder reliever or a fragrant, relaxing bath infused with indigenous flowers.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Feb. 2026
Leveleve Balcony Furniture 5-Piece Patio Conversation Set For truly stretching out and relaxing, this five-piece set includes two chairs with extendable footrests for reclining—then the footrest tuck neatly underneath the chairs when not in use.
—Melanie Fincher, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Feb. 2026
They are typically placed directly on the bed and used during sleep, though some people also use them on the couch while relaxing.
—Miami Herald, 19 Feb. 2026
Camping, decorating cookies, walking by the lake, watching my daughters play sports or perform, relaxing on our deck with our two dogs.
—Alec Johnson, jsonline.com, 18 Feb. 2026
The food is also elevated a bit from the typical Mexican fare, making Perro Salado a great place for a date night, relaxing group dinner or anything in between.
—Will Richmond, The Providence Journal, 14 Feb. 2026
What does relaxing look like for an Olympic speedskater?
—Sean Nevin, NBC news, 14 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for relaxing
Adjective
-
The space is soothing—low lit, a big fireplace, deep sofas in the entry area.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Honey coats the throat and may help reduce coughing, making the combo especially soothing.—
Abby Norman,
Verywell Health,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
If the soup thickens too much after chilling, add a splash of half-and-half, milk, or broth to loosen it back to its original creamy consistency.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
22 Feb. 2026
-
Meanwhile, the head of the vaccines arm, Vinay Prasad, has made unilateral policy changes that could limit access to certain shots, while also chilling investment in the sector.—
Lisa Jarvis,
Mercury News,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Anthropic, a company founded by OpenAI exiles worried about the dangers of AI, is loosening its core safety principle in response to competition.—
Clare Duffy,
CNN Money,
25 Feb. 2026
-
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will terminate Anthropic's $200 million contract with the military by Friday unless the artificial intelligence lab agrees to loosening its safety standards.—
Bobby Allyn,
NPR,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Keep the iron moving – never leave it resting in one spot.—
Louise Parks,
Martha Stewart,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Also, the lamp has been turned into a miniature homage to cubism (and its lampshade is hovering in the air, not resting on anything).—
Benjamin Lima,
Dallas Morning News,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Despite being a quick walk from downtown Palm Springs, the Historic Tennis Club is snoozy and near-silent—perfect for unwinding after a busy day.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Berkshire Hathaway, under new CEO Greg Abel, has since taken a formal step toward unwinding its 28% stake in Kraft Heinz.—
Amelia Lucas,
CNBC,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
After skimo’s Olympic debut last week, the weird sport of running uphill in ski boots—then barreling downhill in children’s skis—is basking in a glow of cultural relevance that only the world’s biggest competition can provide.—
Anthony Walsh,
Outside,
26 Feb. 2026
-
Just basking along with Team USA wasn’t enough.—
Tom Nichols,
The Atlantic,
25 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Cheesy drop biscuits make your typical chicken pot pie even more comforting.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
23 Feb. 2026
-
Buckled heels hold a comforting, nostalgic flair, especially in buttery soft suede.—
Ariel Wodarcyk,
InStyle,
23 Feb. 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 27 Feb. 2026.
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