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
Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 12 Sep. 2025
The main level sports a spacious, open layout, with several distinct spaces for both entertaining and relaxing.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 11 Sep. 2025
Follow a relaxing bedtime routine.
—Sarah Bence, Verywell Health, 9 Sep. 2025
The researchers hypothesized that soft music has a relaxing effect, relieving the tension that makes carsickness worse, and joyful music might serve as distraction, activating the brain's reward systems.
—New Atlas, 2 Sep. 2025
The ground-floor Felice al Gabrielli Restaurant, K Lounge Bar, and 6,458-square-foot garden flow together to form ample space for dining and relaxing.
—Elizabeth Heath, Travel + Leisure, 26 Aug. 2025
Some people use kratom to try to relieve depression, anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder, or to achieve a relaxing high.
—Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2025
Flying will get you from point A to B in the fastest way, but only someone with a private jet would call it relaxing.
—Alesandra Dubin, AFAR Media, 25 Aug. 2025
The building comes equipped with nine unique rooms, some of which offer lavish amenities including private fireplaces and iron clawfoot tubs—and to sweeten the deal, the common areas offer plenty of opportunities to enjoy the relaxing ambiance of the surrounding region.
—Jared Ranahan, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025
Michael Goldstein, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Skip the sheep-counting and cup of chamomile, and luxuriate in the sleep-inducing blend of calming lavender oil, soothing balsam resin, moisturizing sweet almond oil, and relaxing magnesium salt flakes instead.
—Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
This oversized knit cardigan is the ideal cozy layer to throw on during a chilly dinner date, running errands, or just relaxing at home.
—Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2025
Elsewhere in Fiji, pair topside relaxing and diving with a stay at an eco-minded property like Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort, Six Senses Fiji, or Vomo Island, all of which run coral restoration and education programs, including for youth.
—Terry Ward, AFAR Media, 11 Sep. 2025
Hidden down some stairs in a commercial plaza, Down Dog Sedona orchestrates profoundly relaxing sound baths, among other wellness offerings.
—New York Times, 10 Sep. 2025
Despite its size, though, the town packs a big punch with things to do and explore, and is an ideal spot for a relaxing mountain weekend away from it all.
—Elliott Harrell, Southern Living, 9 Sep. 2025
The Bottom Line Turmeric, or curcumin to be exact, has a mild impact on blood pressure by relaxing blood vessels and decreasing inflammation.
—Sherri Gordon, Health, 8 Sep. 2025
This year, MeTV ran a salute to summertime featuring brief clips of its regular characters relaxing and doing nothing for a few seconds.
—Julie Hinds, Freep.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
And just hanging out with a couple of my close friends and my dogs and going somewhere fun and relaxing, or even just going to the movies.
—Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 12 Sep. 2025
The main level sports a spacious, open layout, with several distinct spaces for both entertaining and relaxing.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 11 Sep. 2025
Follow a relaxing bedtime routine.
—Sarah Bence, Verywell Health, 9 Sep. 2025
The researchers hypothesized that soft music has a relaxing effect, relieving the tension that makes carsickness worse, and joyful music might serve as distraction, activating the brain's reward systems.
—New Atlas, 2 Sep. 2025
The ground-floor Felice al Gabrielli Restaurant, K Lounge Bar, and 6,458-square-foot garden flow together to form ample space for dining and relaxing.
—Elizabeth Heath, Travel + Leisure, 26 Aug. 2025
Some people use kratom to try to relieve depression, anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder, or to achieve a relaxing high.
—Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2025
Flying will get you from point A to B in the fastest way, but only someone with a private jet would call it relaxing.
—Alesandra Dubin, AFAR Media, 25 Aug. 2025
The building comes equipped with nine unique rooms, some of which offer lavish amenities including private fireplaces and iron clawfoot tubs—and to sweeten the deal, the common areas offer plenty of opportunities to enjoy the relaxing ambiance of the surrounding region.
—Jared Ranahan, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025
Verb
The two, three, and even four-bedroom residences are spacious, feature mature olive trees, relaxing grounds, and gourmet kitchens.
—Michael Goldstein, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Skip the sheep-counting and cup of chamomile, and luxuriate in the sleep-inducing blend of calming lavender oil, soothing balsam resin, moisturizing sweet almond oil, and relaxing magnesium salt flakes instead.
—Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
This oversized knit cardigan is the ideal cozy layer to throw on during a chilly dinner date, running errands, or just relaxing at home.
—Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2025
Elsewhere in Fiji, pair topside relaxing and diving with a stay at an eco-minded property like Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort, Six Senses Fiji, or Vomo Island, all of which run coral restoration and education programs, including for youth.
—Terry Ward, AFAR Media, 11 Sep. 2025
Hidden down some stairs in a commercial plaza, Down Dog Sedona orchestrates profoundly relaxing sound baths, among other wellness offerings.
—New York Times, 10 Sep. 2025
Despite its size, though, the town packs a big punch with things to do and explore, and is an ideal spot for a relaxing mountain weekend away from it all.
—Elliott Harrell, Southern Living, 9 Sep. 2025
The Bottom Line Turmeric, or curcumin to be exact, has a mild impact on blood pressure by relaxing blood vessels and decreasing inflammation.
—Sherri Gordon, Health, 8 Sep. 2025
This year, MeTV ran a salute to summertime featuring brief clips of its regular characters relaxing and doing nothing for a few seconds.
—Julie Hinds, Freep.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for relaxing
Adjective
-
They’re placed on or next to the body and struck with a mallet to release a calming vibration and mellifluous tone that eases muscles, sparking an immediately soothing effect on the nervous system and improving synaptic responses in the brain.—
Terry Elward,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Whatever the manifestation—hair-tucking, shorts-pulling, ball-bouncing, bobbing, pocket-checking, or something else entirely—the familiarity of these motions can have a soothing effect, calming the player’s nerves before a big shot.—
Caroline Tien,
SELF,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
While this criticism is overstated, as a lot of his books have bone-chilling finales or thematically rich conclusions, there are certainly a lot of stories where he's failed to land the plane.—
James Grebey,
Time,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Ready to dive into the bone-chilling world of The Conjuring?—
Keith Langston,
PEOPLE,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
First aid efforts should include moving the person to a cooler area, loosening clothing, and offering sips of water.—
Anna Skinner,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Aug. 2025
-
Far infrared heat is highly effective in loosening tight muscles and joints.—
Michelle Stansbury,
Forbes.com,
25 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
CFMoto is not resting on its laurels, having just recently revealed its first-ever inline-four sports motorcycle.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
12 Sep. 2025
-
The visible-light photo, taken by one of Maxar Technologies' WorldView Legion satellites orbiting at an altitude of 312 miles (518 kilometers), shows what appears to be a fleet of fighter jets resting on the ramp adjacent to the runway surrounded by brown, arid soil.—
Tereza Pultarova,
Space.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The weekend is for recharging, relaxing, and generally unwinding, right?—
Patricia Shannon,
Better Homes & Gardens,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Last but not least, the home features the coziest front porch, complete with eye-catching front and side railings, that can be transformed into the perfect space for unwinding with outdoor furniture, a porch swing, a set of string lights, and a stylish doormat, of course.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Nothing quite compares to the joy of sitting by the beach, breathing in the warm ocean breeze, and basking in the beauty of your surroundings.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Forty-five minutes later, the racetrack appears almost without warning — coiled like a basking viper in the Tuscan countryside.—
Jonathan Hawkins,
CNN Money,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Then complement it with a refreshing fattoush salad or one of our comforting homestyle stews, which reflect the heart of our kitchen.—
Shivani Vora,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
-
Meanwhile, Mary’s mother, Cora, remains a stalwart and comforting presence.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
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 18 Sep. 2025.
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