relax

[ ri-laks ]

/ rɪˈlæks /

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See synonyms for: relax / relaxed / relaxes / relaxing on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)

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.

verb (used without object)

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.

OTHER WORDS FOR relax

1, 6 loosen, slacken.

2 mitigate, weaken, lessen, reduce.

4 ease.

6 unbend.

7 relent, soften.

See synonyms for relax on Thesaurus.com

OPPOSITES FOR relax

1, 6 tighten, tense.

See antonyms for relax on Thesaurus.com

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Origin of relax

1350–1400; Middle English relaxen<Latin relaxāre to stretch out again, loosen, equivalent to re-re- + laxāre to loosen, derivative of laxus slack, lax

OTHER WORDS FROM relax

re·lax·a·tive, re·lax·a·tory

[ri-lak-suh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee], /rɪˈlæk səˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i/, adjectivere·lax·er, nouno·ver·re·lax, verbun·re·lax·ing, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

How to use relax in a sentence

Cool down after the walkOnce you get back home, you can flop down and relax or try to squeeze a little more productivity out of your pooch.
The right way to walk your dog|John Kennedy|August 26, 2020|Popular-Science
So when as an adult he quickly stretched a piece of natural rubber and felt its sudden warmth on his lip — and its subsequent coolness as it relaxed — he gained what he considered the most direct and convincing proof of a curious phenomenon.
The Shape-Shifting Squeeze Coolers|Marcus Woo|August 24, 2020|Quanta Magazine
With no need to worry about our backgrounds, whether our faces were frozen into alertness, or whether we were providing each other with the illusion of eye contact, my students and I could relax, focusing our full attention on one another.
That chatbot I’ve loved to hate|Tate Ryan-Mosley|August 19, 2020|MIT Technology Review
Despite some progress, especially in testing, most of the country’s local health departments still don’t have the workforce or the infrastructure needed to safely relax social distancing.
The U.S. largely wasted time bought by COVID-19 lockdowns. Now what?|Jonathan Lambert|July 1, 2020|Science News

They can face bias when they try to play, relax and develop their interests in the outdoors.
#BlackBirdersWeek seeks to open the outdoors for everyone|Jonathan Lambert|June 4, 2020|Science News For Students
The rest of the time he generally has staycations, relaxing at home.
Will There Soon Be Three Living Popes?|Barbie Latza Nadeau|August 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Maybe, but surely a vacation should be spent relaxing on the beach and recharging the batteries.
The Hell of the Hamptons: Why the Exclusive Hotspot Is a Mind-Numbing Drag|Robert Gold|August 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The Colorado Republican described gardening as a “very relaxing hobby” while reflecting on the closely fought primary.
Tom Tancredo Loses GOP Primary For Colorado Governor|Ben Jacobs|June 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It also includes unique coping methods, such as voice-recorded mindfulness and relaxation exercises, or relaxing music.
10 Best Apps to Train Your Brain|DailyBurn|June 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The cameramen hollered to him and turned him this way and that and he complied reluctantly, never relaxing.
One Red Rose for the Green Kid Who Won the Kentucky Derby|Red Smith|May 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He was aware of the muscles pulling and relaxing as the kelit ran, and the long bones sliding in their lubricated joints.
Insidekick|Jesse Franklin Bone
This surplus Sir Robert Peel proposed to apply in relaxing the commercial tariff.
The History of England in Three Volumes, Vol.III.|E. Farr and E. H. Nolan
Gradually the relaxing steam-radiators began to grunt and grumble into a chill quietude.
Molly Make-Believe|Eleanor Hallowell Abbott
"Yes—me trade," replied the Sioux, his painted face relaxing with the grin that had become almost chronic.
Two Boys in Wyoming|Edward S. Ellis
Was it possible that it was relaxing its grasp, releasing its prey?
Lavengro|George Borrow

British Dictionary definitions for relax

relax

/ (rɪˈlæks) /

verb

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

Derived forms of relax

relaxable, adjectiverelaxed, adjectiverelaxedly (rɪˈlæksɪdlɪ), adverb

Word Origin for relax

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 Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medical definitions for relax

relax

[ rĭ-lăks′ ]

To make or become lax or loose.

To relieve or become relieved from tension or strain.

relax

OTHER WORDS FOR relax

OPPOSITES FOR relax

Origin of relax

OTHER WORDS FROM relax

Words related to relax

How to use relax in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for relax

Derived forms of relax

Word Origin for relax

Medical definitions for relax