laxative
Americannoun
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laxatives
plural
adjective
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of, relating to, or constituting a laxative; purgative.
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Archaic.
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(of the bowels) subject to looseness.
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(of a disease) characterized by looseness of the bowels.
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noun
adjective
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of laxative
1350–1400; Middle English laxatif (< Middle French ) < Medieval Latin laxātīvus loosening ( see 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.
See Examples For:
The crucial mineral is magnesium, which has a laxative effect.
From BBC ● Oct. 13, 2025
Escolar is sometimes called the "laxative of the sea" for the effects its fatty acids can have on digestion.
From Salon ● Oct. 29, 2024
He quickly noticed the laxative effect for which Epsom salts would become world-famous, drawing hordes of stopped-up tourists to the town for decades to come.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 6, 2024
PEG 3350 is known as an osmotic laxative.
From Scientific American ● Sep. 15, 2023
Suddenly Miss Ellis began to speak, her voice bright and fake like a laxative commercial: “Well, I’ve got some rather astounding news for you, Gilly.”
From "The Great Gilly Hopkins" by Katherine Paterson
Because the root problem is the loss of this protective mucus rather than sluggish intestinal movement, standard laxatives and drugs designed to stimulate gut motion may not provide relief.
From Science Daily ● Feb. 19, 2026
Ayda is now off laxatives and able to control her bowels.
From BBC ● Sep. 3, 2025
I’m using stool softeners and laxatives as well as walking and drinking water.
From Seattle Times ● May 29, 2024
“The main effect of laxatives really is in the colon,” he says.
From Scientific American ● Nov. 1, 2023
I came in late, repeatedly and with the flimsiest of excuses; made shockingly incorrect change; even misshelved things on purpose, stocking lotions among laxatives and birth control with baby shampoo.
From "Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children" by Ransom Riggs
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