relax
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.
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.
Origin of relax
1Other words for relax
Opposites for relax
Other words from relax
- re·lax·a·tive, re·lax·a·tory [ri-lak-suh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee], /rɪˈlæk səˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i/, adjective
- re·lax·er, noun
- o·ver·re·lax, verb
- un·re·lax·ing, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
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.
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.
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.
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 NewsThey 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.
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 | THE DAILY BEASTThe Colorado Republican described gardening as a “very relaxing hobby” while reflecting on the closely fought primary.
It also includes unique coping methods, such as voice-recorded mindfulness and relaxation exercises, or relaxing music.
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 | THE DAILY BEASTHe was aware of the muscles pulling and relaxing as the kelit ran, and the long bones sliding in their lubricated joints.
Insidekick | Jesse Franklin BoneThis 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. NolanGradually 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. EllisWas it possible that it was relaxing its grasp, releasing its prey?
Lavengro | George Borrow
British Dictionary definitions for relax
/ (rɪˈlæks) /
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 effort: on 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
Origin of relax
1Derived forms of relax
- relaxable, adjective
- relaxed, adjective
- relaxedly (rɪˈlæksɪdlɪ), adverb
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
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