laxative

[ lak-suh-tiv ]

/ ˈlæk sə tɪv /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for laxative on Thesaurus.com

noun

a medicine or agent for relieving constipation.

adjective

of, relating to, or constituting a laxative; purgative.

Archaic.

(of the bowels) subject to looseness.
(of a disease) characterized by looseness of the bowels.

QUIZ

WILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?

Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!

Question 1 of 7

Fill in the blank: I can’t figure out _____ gave me this gift.

who

whom

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of laxative

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

OTHER WORDS FROM laxative

lax·a·tive·ly, adverblax·a·tive·ness, noun

Words nearby laxative

lawyer's wig, lawyer vine, lax, Laxalt, laxation, laxative, laxity, Laxness, lay, layabout, lay about one

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use laxative in a sentence

Other red flags include the promotion of diuretics, laxatives, appetite suppressants, or diets that cut out entire food groups or promote miracle foods.
Your social media ‘fitspo’ is not a good influence|Erin Blakemore|January 19, 2022|Popular-Science
I started abusing laxatives, I started not eating, I started throwing up — I started doing everything I could think of to do to be as skinny as I could possibly be, being obsessive about my weight loss.
Tami Roman Opens Up About Decades-Long Struggle With Body Dysmorphic Disorder|Victoria Uwumarogie|November 23, 2021|Essence.com
It is, however, found in common, over-the-counter products like laxatives.
The Bonkers Lawsuit to Stop the Pentagon’s Vaccine Mandate|Adam Rawnsley|September 30, 2021|The Daily Beast
The drink was also like a fizzy laxative that was hot, because there was no ice.
Locked up in the Land of Liberty: Part III|Yariel Valdés González|July 21, 2021|Washington Blade

The only safe thing to drink is Kieselavoda, which is a mild laxative.
Mel Brooks Is Always Funny and Often Wise in This 1975 Playboy Interview|Alex Belth|February 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And around 1817, Randel, who seemed to be having liver trouble, received large doses of mercury as a laxative.
The Manhattan Project: The Legacy of John Randel Jr.|Kevin Canfield|February 21, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Bruni candidly writes of his weight struggles, which included bulimia, laxative abuse, and junk-food binges.
Frank Bruni Revealed|Nicki Gostin|August 18, 2009|DAILY BEAST
The opening of the bowels may be followed with a pint of linseed oil, as an additional and gentle laxative.
Domestic Animals|Richard L. Allen
It has been observed that when Medicinal Iridium acts as a laxative, it will regulate the same.
The Propaganda for Reform in Proprietary Medicines, Vol. 1 of 2|Various
These, from their laxative effects, will serve as antidotes to the dry sapless grasses, which have led to the disease.
A Treatise on Sheep:|Ambrose Blacklock
Whatever outward means may be employed, laxative medicines ought never to be neglected.
A Treatise on Sheep:|Ambrose Blacklock
They are also valuable in the diet because of their slightly laxative effect.
Woman's Institute Library of Cookery, Vol. 5|Woman's Institute of Domestic Arts and Sciences

British Dictionary definitions for laxative

laxative

/ (ˈlæksətɪv) /

noun

an agent stimulating evacuation of faeces

adjective

stimulating evacuation of faeces

Word Origin for laxative

C14 (originally: relaxing): from Medieval Latin laxātīvus, from Latin laxāre to loosen

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

laxative

Origin of laxative

OTHER WORDS FROM laxative

Words nearby laxative

Words related to laxative

How to use laxative in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for laxative

Word Origin for laxative