relax

American  

[ri-laks] / rɪˈlæks /

verb (used with object)

1. to make less tense, rigid, or firm; make lax.

   to relax the muscles.

   Synonyms:

   slacken, loosen

   Antonyms:

   tense, tighten

2. to diminish the force of.

   Synonyms:

   reduce, lessen, weaken, mitigate

3. to slacken or abate, as effort, attention, etc.

4. to make less strict or severe, as rules, discipline, etc..

   to relax the requirements for a license.

   Synonyms:

   ease

5. to release or bring relief from the effects of tension, anxiety, etc..

   A short swim always relaxes me.

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verb (used without object)

1. to become less tense, rigid, or firm.

   Synonyms:

   unbend, slacken, loosen

   Antonyms:

   tense, tighten

2. to become less strict or severe; grow milder.

   Synonyms:

   soften, relent

3. to reduce or stop work, effort, application, etc., especially for the sake of rest or recreation.

4. to release oneself from inhibition, worry, tension, etc.

relax British  

/ rɪˈlæks, rɪˈlæksɪdlɪ /

verb

1. to make (muscles, a grip, etc) less tense or rigid or (of muscles, a grip, etc) to become looser or less rigid

2. (intr) to take rest or recreation, as from work or effort

   on Sundays, she just relaxes

   she relaxes by playing golf

3. to lessen the force of (effort, concentration, etc) or (of effort) to become diminished

4. to make (rules or discipline) less rigid or strict or (of rules, etc) to diminish in severity

5. (intr) (of a person) to become less formal; unbend

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Other Word Forms

• overrelax verb
• relaxable adjective
• relaxative adjective
• relaxatory adjective
• relaxed adjective
• relaxedly adverb
• relaxer noun
• unrelaxing adjective

Etymology

Origin of relax

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English relaxen, from Latin relaxāre “to stretch out again, loosen,” equivalent to re- re- ( def. ) + laxāre “to loosen,” derivative of laxus “loose, spacious, wide,” lax ¹ ( def. )

Example Sentences

"Whether you need to work 80 hours a week is debatable, but I think you would struggle in the current environment to compete with a relaxed 35-hour week culture," he says.

From BBC

That means the FCC will have to waive its rules or relax its cap to greenlight the deal.

From The Wall Street Journal

There’s often softness, too, ingredients that relax into the pot, and finally, a finishing touch, the small flourish that makes the whole thing feel complete.

From Salon

Vonn had appeared relaxed in the training runs and in the morning before the race.

From BBC

The adventures into fashion can relax players in the locker room prior to games, as athletes rib one another for their more brash selections.

From Barron's

Related Words

• ease
• loosen
• lower
• modify
• reduce
• relieve
• slow
• weaken