relax
[ri-laks]
- to make less tense, rigid, or firm; make lax: to relax the muscles.
- to diminish the force of.
- to slacken or abate, as effort, attention, etc.
- to make less strict or severe, as rules, discipline, etc.: to relax the requirements for a license.
- to release or bring relief from the effects of tension, anxiety, etc.: A short swim always relaxes me.
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- to become less tense, rigid, or firm.
- to become less strict or severe; grow milder.
- to reduce or stop work, effort, application, etc., especially for the sake of rest or recreation.
- to release oneself from inhibition, worry, tension, etc.
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Origin of relax
Synonyms
See more synonyms for relax on Thesaurus.com1, 6. loosen, slacken. 2. mitigate, weaken, lessen, reduce. 4. ease. 6. unbend. 7. relent, soften.
Antonyms
1, 6. tighten, tense.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for relax
Contemporary Examples
I tried to relax too, but I felt my stomach tighten and I began to sweat.
Libkin found old beds to put in the wild-looking garden around Dacha, so couples in love could relax on them after the meal.
Why won't anyone let Justin Bieber relax and have a good time?!
An Unlikely Hero Blooms in Ibiza: Orlando Bloom Sort of Punches Justin BieberAmy Zimmerman
July 30, 2014
But as the opening crawl assures, “none of this is canon, so just relax.”
It strolls and meanders, stopping to relax on a bench for a spell and feel the fresh breeze.
Historical Examples
There was a clutch on her throat just then, which would not relax at the call of her will.
Within the LawMarvin Dana
Whatever others might do he must not allow himself to relax so much.
The Rock of ChickamaugaJoseph A. Altsheler
It has however served to weaken her prepossessions, and relax the chains of her attachment.
ImogenWilliam Godwin
He had told us to relax—but to do anything else would have been impossible.
The Floating Island of MadnessJason Kirby
Alone in the control compartment, he tried to relax, but it was not possible.
Pariah PlanetMurray Leinster
relax
- to make (muscles, a grip, etc) less tense or rigid or (of muscles, a grip, etc) to become looser or less rigid
- (intr) to take rest or recreation, as from work or efforton Sundays, she just relaxes; she relaxes by playing golf
- to lessen the force of (effort, concentration, etc) or (of effort) to become diminished
- to make (rules or discipline) less rigid or strict or (of rules, etc) to diminish in severity
- (intr) (of a person) to become less formal; unbend
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Word Origin
C15: from Latin relaxāre to loosen, from re- + laxāre to loosen, from laxus loose, lax
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for relax
v.
late 14c., "to make (something) less compact or dense," from Old French relaschier "set free; soften; reduce" (14c.), from Latin relaxare "relax, loosen, open, stretch out, widen again; make loose," from re- "back" (see re-) + laxare "loosen," from laxus "loose" (see lax). Of persons, "to become less formal," from 1837. Meaning "decrease tension" is from early 15c.; intransitive sense of "to become less tense" is recorded from 1935. Related: Relaxed; relaxing.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
relax
(rĭ-lăks′)- To make or become lax or loose.
- To relieve or become relieved from tension or strain.
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The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.