relax

[ ri-laks ]

/ rɪˈlæks /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR relax 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.

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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

SYNONYMS 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

ANTONYMS FOR relax

1, 6 tighten, tense.

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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. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for relax

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
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
Something in her wiring has taught her that relaxing her defenses is dangerous.
When An Adopted Child Won’t Attach|Tina Traster|May 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Instead of medicine, doctors prefer to treat their patients with a comforting chat in relaxing atmosphere.
Kiev’s Protestors Put on Uniforms|Anna Nemtsova|March 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He was reportedly chatting with the oligarch about relaxing E.U. aluminum tariffs.
Britain’s KGB Sugar Daddy|Michael Weiss|March 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In spite of his bantering tone the young inventor was pleased that his father was relaxing in a friendly game.
Tom Swift and His Giant Telescope|Victor Appleton
Alfred's fixed stare was relaxing and at last Jimmy could breathe.
Baby Mine|Margaret Mayo
The Delsarte relaxing exercises precede and prepare the way for-381- all others.
Social Life|Maud C. Cooke
Despair gave her strength; she clutched at the door; but she felt her strength failing her—her grasp was relaxing.
Rookwood|William Harrison Ainsworth
But if he is correct in his surmise, I am much beholden to the relaxing influences of the night.
The Morals of Marcus Ordeyne|William J. Locke

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′ ]

v.

To make or become lax or loose.

To relieve or become relieved from tension or strain.

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relax

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British Dictionary definitions for relax

verb

Derived forms of relax

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v.

MEANINGS

WORD GAMES

LEARN

WRITING

WORD OF THE DAY

relax

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

QUIZZES

CAN YOU GUESS THESE WORDS FROM AROUND THE US?

Origin of relax

SYNONYMS FOR relax

ANTONYMS FOR relax

OTHER WORDS FROM relax

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Example sentences from the Web for relax

British Dictionary definitions for relax

verb

Derived forms of relax

Word Origin for relax

Medical definitions for relax

v.