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 relaxing
Contemporary Examples
The rest of the time he generally has staycations, relaxing at home.
It also includes unique coping methods, such as voice-recorded mindfulness and relaxation exercises, or relaxing music.
Something in her wiring has taught her that relaxing her defenses is dangerous.
Instead of medicine, doctors prefer to treat their patients with a comforting chat in relaxing atmosphere.
He was reportedly chatting with the oligarch about relaxing E.U. aluminum tariffs.
Historical Examples
He was tired and he'd looked forward to relaxing a while before the show.
The Second VoiceMann Rubin
There was a dry tightness in his throat and he concentrated on relaxing his tension.
The Second VoiceMann Rubin
Lingard, relaxing the tenseness of his stare, looked at the young man, thoughtfully.
The RescueJoseph Conrad
In our particular department the relaxing of authority was specially apparent.
Tom, Dick and HarryTalbot Baines Reed
Was it possible that it was relaxing its grasp, releasing its prey?
LavengroGeorge Borrow
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 relaxing
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.