relax

verb

ri-ˈlaks How to pronounce relax (audio)
Definition of relaxnext
1
as in to unwind
to get rid of nervous tension or anxiety she took deep breaths to relax before going on stage

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to loosen
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 to bask
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 relax Most other feeders can send dozens, if not hundreds, of clips to your phone each day, which can be more fatiguing than relaxing to go through. — Jim Fisher, PC Magazine, 27 Sep. 2026 The intimate spa offers a number of different treatments and beauty rituals, but the standout one is Oro di Amalfi, an exclusive massage with natural lemon oils that relaxes and stimulates the chakras. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Sep. 2026 Below, 12 photos of Diana relaxing and unwinding on vacation. — Katherine J Igoe, InStyle, 26 Sep. 2026 Imagine going on what is supposed to be a relaxing getaway in nature with your dog, only to end up fighting to survive a medical emergency, a plane crash, brutal elements, and more. — Gerrad Hall, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for relax
Recent Examples of Synonyms for relax
  1. chill
  2. loosen
  3. bask
  4. unwind
  5. rest
  6. decompress
  7. wind down
  8. chill out
Verb
  • Yet each of the 553 rooms still give guests the chance to maximize their downtime, thanks to plush bedding, modern bathrooms, and the option to Netflix and chill directly from the hotel television.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Trudie’s offers snow crab, three marshmallow-white claws served chilled on ice, with a bit of dijonnaise for dipping.
    — Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of chill
Verb
  • This beautiful retrospective volume shows a poet developing steadily, from the graceful descriptions and encoded trauma of the poems from the 1990s through the loosening music and political engagement of the books of the last ten years.
    — Craig Morgan Teicher, Literary Hub, 1 Oct. 2026
  • The pullout, however, leaves a new Iraqi government with the daunting task of loosening Iran’s grip on its neighbor, which has long been trapped in a cycle of sectarianism, foreign meddling and civil conflict.
    — Sarah Tamimi, CNN Money, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of loosen
Verb
  • This week, Tinashe navigates the highs and lows of being a pop star, Blondshell basks in the beauty of her life, and Taylor Swift is back for the curtain call with a deluxe offering from The Life of a Showgirl.
    — Rolling Stone, Rolling Stone, 25 Sep. 2026
  • In the days of former coach Billy Napier, Florida made a habit of basking in the wins.
    — Noah White, Miami Herald, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of bask
Verb
  • The company has also been deliberate in unwinding its previous reliance on legacy franchises, such as the Dunk and Air Force 1 shoes.
    — Joe Bobowicz, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Both were open even during Lee’s December visit, with views over Yoyogi Park providing a picturesque setting to unwind after hours of exploring.
    — Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of unwind
Verb
  • But with nearly half of the roster sidelined because of injuries or resting, Adou Thiero at least tried to inject some life into a sleepy preseason back-to-back.
    — Senior Editor, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Everyone wants Prince Harry and Meghan Markle‘s return to the UK to mean that all issues between the British royal family have been put to rest.
    — StyleCaster Editors, StyleCaster, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of rest
Verb
  • Hosting the wedding on Friday allowed the couple an extra day to decompress and celebrate with their circle.
    — Shelby Wax, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Wagner took an additional two-three weeks to rehab the calf strain after the season ended before taking some time off to decompress.
    — Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Sep. 2026
Definition of decompress
Verb
  • Now, decades later, Snider was winding down his career, and Prevost was about to participate in a conclave to elect the next pope.
    — Scott Detrow, NPR, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Your spidey-senses start tingling as the game winds down, and something just tells you to start rolling the camera.
    — Zach Dean OutKick, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of wind down
Verb
  • The Moroccan pattern brings visual interest, while the soft surface gives bare feet a comfortable landing and takes the chill out of hardwood or tile floors.
    — Toni Sutton, PEOPLE, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Prepare to cut the cord and just chill out in the company of other adults masquerading as big kids for a couple of days.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of chill out

Browse Nearby Words

relaunching
relax
relaxant
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Relax.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/relax. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a cup of tea and a golf ball on tee side by side
Quiz: Sounds Like... Choose the word that sounds like it fits the clue...
See All