Synonyms of relaxing

relaxing 1 of 2

adjective

as in soothing

tending to calm the emotions and relieve stress

a relaxing cup of chamomile tea

Synonyms & Similar Words

• soothing
• tranquilizing
• comforting
• calming
• hypnotic
• quieting
• sedative
• dreamy
• narcotic
• lulling
• depressant
• opiate
• pacifying
• analgesic
• deadening
• anesthetic
• anodyne
• antidepressant
• antianxiety
• numbing
• antistress
• antidepression

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• painful
• stressful
• tiresome
• troubling
• unsettling
• trying
• stimulating
• worrisome
• stimulant
• troublesome
• frustrating
• disturbing
• annoying
• energizing
• irritating
• aggravating
• invigorating
• bothersome
• maddening
• exasperating
• irksome
• vexatious
• vexing
• galling
• harassing
• grating
• nettlesome

relaxing

2 of 2

verb

present participle of relax

1

as in chilling

to get rid of nervous tension or anxiety

she took deep breaths to relax before going on stage

Synonyms & Similar Words

• chilling
• resting
• unwinding
• decompressing
• basking
• de-stressing
• hanging loose
• loosening up
• winding down
• calming
• composing
• mellowing (out)
• lounging
• chilling out
• comforting
• settling
• lazing
• relieving
• loafing
• cooling
• idling
• lolling
• alleviating
• bumming
• reposing
• unbending
• hanging (around or out)
• easing
• quieting
• vegetating
• dawdling
• kicking back
• droning
• hacking (around)
• goofing (off)
• dillydallying
• vegging out
• zoning out
• footling
• dallying

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• tensing (up)

2

as in loosening

to make less taut

relax the rope a bit so I can pick up the slack and tie this knot

Synonyms & Similar Words

• loosening
• slacking
• slackening
• easing
• detaching
• freeing
• untying
• undoing
• unfastening
• unbinding

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• stretching
• tightening
• straining
• binding
• tying
• attaching
• tensing
• fastening
• restraining
• tensioning
• constraining

3

as in resting

to refrain from labor or exertion

I just want to kick back and relax after mowing that huge lawn

Synonyms & Similar Words

• resting
• basking
• lounging
• hanging
• reposing
• lolling
• kicking back
• idling
• loafing
• hanging around
• bumming
• slacking (off)
• hanging about
• vegging out
• goldbricking

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• working
• laboring
• struggling
• striving
• sweating
• plowing
• plugging
• plodding
• hustling
• straining
• toiling
• slaving
• grubbing
• pegging (away)
• slogging
• exercising
• humping
• drudging
• working out
• travailing
• moiling

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of relaxing

Adjective

Optics expert, Jase Parnell-Brookes, gave them four stars in their full Canon 18x50 binoculars review for enabling a relaxing and impressive session of stargazing. — Harry Bennett, Space.com, 20 July 2026

Skip visually abrasive color palettes that don’t feel calming or relaxing. — Ashley Chalmers, The Spruce, 20 July 2026

Rain barrels fall into the same category; they, too, can be hidden and concealed to maintain curb appeal and create a relaxing outdoor oasis. — Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 July 2026

Surrounding the entire park in a huge loop is the Disneyland Railroad, which is both a relaxing ride and an easy way to get from one end of the park to the other. — Julie Tremaine, PEOPLE, 17 July 2026

Now the home of Marcus and Katherine Padgett, the Old Grace Lutheran Church will be open for a relaxing evening with the duo Kendra Grittani and Allie Simpson. — Melinda Moore, Chicago Tribune, 17 July 2026

Inferno is immersive and psychedelic but not necessarily in the relaxing way the words usually convey. — Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 8 July 2026

Kate Hudson enjoyed a relaxing beach day with her kids, 7-year-old Rani and 14-year-old Bingham, in Athens, Greece. — Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 2 July 2026

Patio lights Having warm and inviting outdoor lighting can help set a relaxing evening mood. — Bestreviews, Mercury News, 29 June 2026

Verb

Speaking of relaxing, the largest pool (which sits directly behind the hotel) is essentially the focal point of the resort. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 July 2026

For many of us, summer means relaxing days by the pool or at the beach. — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 13 July 2026

The new model maintains Airstream’s convertible front dinette to create a flexible space for dining, relaxing, or even sleeping for an extra single traveler. — Everett Potter, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026

But her bill, like others relaxing marijuana laws, failed to gain steam in a legislative body that has struggled to tackle the topic. — Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 9 July 2026

Lindsay shared a glimpse into the celebrations, kicking off her post showing her view while relaxing on a lounge chair on the beach. — Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 9 July 2026

The new aft deck creates space for relaxing, entertaining, and general luxuriating by the water’s edge. — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 8 July 2026

San Jose Earthquakes defender Daniel Munie won’t be relaxing on a beach during the Major League Soccer All-Star break. — Christian Babcock, Mercury News, 8 July 2026

While enjoying a relaxing boat and beach day, Hudson rocked the perfect LBB—or little black bikini. — Meg Walters, InStyle, 7 July 2026