1
as in to chill
to get rid of nervous tension or anxiety
she took deep breaths to relax before going on stage
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
3
as in to bask
to refrain from labor or exertion
I just want to kick back and relax after mowing that huge lawn
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of relax
Family-friendly Offerings A colleague on the ship with her teenage daughter had plenty of time to read and relax thanks to The Beach House, a hangout for 13-to17-year-olds, where her adorable daughter had a blast and made more friends than any of us adults.
—
Nina Ruggiero, Travel + Leisure, 31 Jan. 2025
Listening to relaxing music can help a dog sleep soundly, which in turn can help their brain and immune health.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 31 Jan. 2025
Lambert Home For the bedroom of a family home, Lambert Home created a timeless, relaxing space with comfortable furnishings and classic patterns.
—Dan Howarth, Architectural Digest, 30 Jan. 2025
The ticket includes experiences like the Africa Tram, a relaxing tour to spot rhinos and giraffes, and Walkabout Australia to see kangaroos and platypuses.
—Kate Murphy, Axios, 29 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for relax 
Nina Ruggiero, Travel + Leisure, 31 Jan. 2025
Listening to relaxing music can help a dog sleep soundly, which in turn can help their brain and immune health.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 31 Jan. 2025
Lambert Home For the bedroom of a family home, Lambert Home created a timeless, relaxing space with comfortable furnishings and classic patterns.
—Dan Howarth, Architectural Digest, 30 Jan. 2025
The ticket includes experiences like the Africa Tram, a relaxing tour to spot rhinos and giraffes, and Walkabout Australia to see kangaroos and platypuses.
—Kate Murphy, Axios, 29 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for relax
Recent Examples of Synonyms for relax
Verb
-
The suit filed Saturday in U.S. District Court asks that a federal judge prohibit ICE, its acting head and the acting secretary of Homeland Security from conducting immigration raids in Chicago when the intention of the raids chills free speech.—
Peter Breen,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Jan. 2025
-
The unresolved question hanging between him and his father has chilled their relationship.—
Ariane Lange,
Sacramento Bee,
26 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
What to do: To remove excess hair, cut the hair strands with scissors to loosen them up and pull them out of the brush.—
Katelyn Squiers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
24 Jan. 2025
-
The clearest way for the White House to loosen rules requiring automakers to make more EVs will be to target vehicle fuel efficiency and tailpipe standards.—
Aarian Marshall,
WIRED,
22 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
If only the beloved Hunt, who died in 2006, could be here to bask in what started with the arrival of coach Andy Reid in 2013 and ignited when Mahomes became QB1 in the 2018 season.—
Vahe Gregorian,
Kansas City Star,
24 Jan. 2025
-
Brittany Mahomes is basking in the cuteness of her newborn daughter.—
Kayla Grant,
People.com,
23 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
The pressure of playing in the NHL is as intense as ever, and the need for players to unwind remains.—
Joshua Kloke,
The Athletic,
24 Jan. 2025
-
With scalloped mint green umbrellas, a bubbling fountain, and a standalone sauna, the outdoor relaxation area offers a sunny spot to unwind before or after your treatment, and just inside the glass French doors, the indoor relaxation lounge offers light bites and plush chairs to cozy into.—
Elizabeth Rhodes,
Travel + Leisure,
23 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
That result helps Fagin decide how vigorously to exercise each day—or when to rest instead.—
Jennifer Heimlich,
SELF,
28 Jan. 2025
-
Allow to rest and further dry out while oven heats up.—
Cathy Thomas,
Orange County Register,
27 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Whoever wins Tuesday will have to decompress, rise again for a semifinal, then figure out how to climb the sport’s current highest mountain.—
Matthew Futterman,
The Athletic,
20 Jan. 2025
-
The spa also offers a diverse range of treatments for guests to decompress including massages, facials, and even well-being rituals for those undergoing cancer treatment.—
Karla Pope,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near relax
Cite this Entry
“Relax.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/relax. Accessed 6 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share