Synonyms

laxative

American

[lak-suh-tiv] / ˈlæk sə tɪv /

noun

a medicine or agent for relieving constipation.

adjective

of, relating to, or constituting a laxative; purgative.
Archaic.
1. (of the bowels) subject to looseness.
2. (of a disease) characterized by looseness of the bowels.

laxative British

/ ˈlæksətɪv /

noun

an agent stimulating evacuation of faeces

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

adjective

stimulating evacuation of faeces

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

laxatively adverb
laxativeness noun

Etymology

Origin of laxative

1350–1400; Middle English laxatif (< Middle French ) < Medieval Latin laxātīvus loosening ( laxation, -ive )

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Overall, the findings indicate that certain laxatives may help slow the progression of kidney deterioration.

From Science Daily

The crucial mineral is magnesium, which has a laxative effect.

From BBC

Ayda is now off laxatives and able to control her bowels.

From BBC

Ms Nicklas, who works in north Wales, said before her surgery she was "taking laxatives like they were smarties" but "still struggling to go to the toilet".

From BBC

A police search found 96 ibuprofen tablets, laxatives, a feeding syringe and a pill crusher.

From BBC

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023