as in soothing
tending to calm the emotions and relieve stress
a relaxing cup of chamomile tea
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of relaxing
Tribune News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 May 2026
Tropea Beach, which sits on Tyrrhenian Sea in the southern part of Italy’s Calabria region, is the world’s most relaxing beach, according to a new study.
—Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 30 Apr. 2026
Prague is well-positioned for sightseeing while being removed enough from the cacophony of Old Town to make for a relaxing stay.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Apr. 2026
There were plenty of more relaxing things All-Star Junior Caminero could have done during a rare day off at home for the Rays.
—Marc Topkin, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Apr. 2026
Healthy sleep habits, such as keeping a regular schedule, minimizing evening screen time, and following a relaxing bedtime routine, are the key to better sleep.
—Mira Miller, Verywell Health, 29 Apr. 2026
The mix adds fragrance, texture and an actual payoff at dinnertime — turning a balcony into both a relaxing and productive space.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 28 Apr. 2026
The patio earns its keep as both a relaxing retreat and a working kitchen garden.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 28 Apr. 2026
The result adds fragrance, texture and function — turning the patio into a space that is both relaxing and productive.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Sacbee.com, 28 Apr. 2026
Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 3 May 2026
One option your provider may discuss is GEMTESA (vibegron), a prescription treatment that works by relaxing the bladder muscle.
—Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 1 May 2026
Salt water contains healing minerals and the sensation of immersing yourself in water has been found to be relaxing.
—Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2026
Those minutes could be spent taking a nap or relaxing in a bubble bath.
—Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 30 Apr. 2026
Footage from a trip to the Bahamas shows Bebe relaxing inside the underwater vessel.
—Christopher Edwards, PEOPLE, 30 Apr. 2026
Visitors can enjoy fishing, water sports, sailing, or just relaxing along its sandy shores.
—Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 29 Apr. 2026
After your workout, treat your body to a relaxing recovery massage.
—Tory Johnson, ABC News, 24 Apr. 2026
Hest says the lean-back chair geometry was inspired by the classic Adirondack chair for relaxing, familiar comfort and supportive posture.
—New Atlas, 24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
This spring, just outside the dining room, Shahniani will add the Expoterrace, a relaxing patio with a fountain, waterfalls and lush plants inspired by Living with the Land at Epcot in Florida.
—Tribune News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 May 2026
Tropea Beach, which sits on Tyrrhenian Sea in the southern part of Italy’s Calabria region, is the world’s most relaxing beach, according to a new study.
—Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 30 Apr. 2026
Prague is well-positioned for sightseeing while being removed enough from the cacophony of Old Town to make for a relaxing stay.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Apr. 2026
There were plenty of more relaxing things All-Star Junior Caminero could have done during a rare day off at home for the Rays.
—Marc Topkin, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Apr. 2026
Healthy sleep habits, such as keeping a regular schedule, minimizing evening screen time, and following a relaxing bedtime routine, are the key to better sleep.
—Mira Miller, Verywell Health, 29 Apr. 2026
The mix adds fragrance, texture and an actual payoff at dinnertime — turning a balcony into both a relaxing and productive space.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 28 Apr. 2026
The patio earns its keep as both a relaxing retreat and a working kitchen garden.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 28 Apr. 2026
The result adds fragrance, texture and function — turning the patio into a space that is both relaxing and productive.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Sacbee.com, 28 Apr. 2026
Verb
With another sweltering summer on its way, the thought of a relaxing mountain getaway with easy access to outdoor adventures, scenic beauty, and countless ways to cool off sounds simply divine.
—Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 3 May 2026
One option your provider may discuss is GEMTESA (vibegron), a prescription treatment that works by relaxing the bladder muscle.
—Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 1 May 2026
Salt water contains healing minerals and the sensation of immersing yourself in water has been found to be relaxing.
—Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2026
Those minutes could be spent taking a nap or relaxing in a bubble bath.
—Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 30 Apr. 2026
Footage from a trip to the Bahamas shows Bebe relaxing inside the underwater vessel.
—Christopher Edwards, PEOPLE, 30 Apr. 2026
Visitors can enjoy fishing, water sports, sailing, or just relaxing along its sandy shores.
—Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 29 Apr. 2026
After your workout, treat your body to a relaxing recovery massage.
—Tory Johnson, ABC News, 24 Apr. 2026
Hest says the lean-back chair geometry was inspired by the classic Adirondack chair for relaxing, familiar comfort and supportive posture.
—New Atlas, 24 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for relaxing
Adjective
-
The London Symphony Orchestra and the Escolania de Montserrat i Cor Cambra Palau de la Música Catalana choir bolster the album, their arrangements ranging from anxious and erratic to soothing and hypnotic.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
2 May 2026
-
The five sophisticated rooms channel a Switzerland-meets-Ibiza vibe, with plush bedding, soothing gray accents, and funky graphic art.—
Lisa Kadane,
Travel + Leisure,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
The prosecution showed the jurors chilling video and audio evidence that included Athena’s last moments after Horner lured her inside the FedEx van.—
Harriet Ramos,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
30 Apr. 2026
-
This comes after the first part of his sentencing phase, where prosecutors showed jurors chilling surveillance footage taken from inside the truck that day, NBC DFW and the Star-Telegram reported.—
Christina Coulter,
PEOPLE,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Qureshi noted that stablecoins are loosening the iron grip that governments have long wielded over their populations’ money supply, Fortune reported.—
Sheryl Estrada,
Fortune,
6 May 2026
-
Becerra proposes to require cities and counties to approve or deny building permits within 90 days, loosening certain regulations for infill projects and reforming construction defect laws to encourage more construction of entry-level condos.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
Pep Guardiola heavily rotated his side for Manchester City’s FA Cup semi-final with Championship side Southampton on Saturday evening, bringing fresh faces into the starting XI and resting some of his key players for the final stretch of the league season.—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
1 May 2026
-
The 3-by-5 strength training protocol involves choosing 3–5 exercises, doing 3–5 sets of 3–5 reps, and resting for 3–5 minutes in between.—
Jenessa Connor,
Health,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
Abel is already moving to put his stamp on the roughly $300 billion basket, reportedly unwinding positions tied to former investment manager Todd Combs after his departure for JPMorgan at the end of 2025.—
Yun Li,
CNBC,
1 May 2026
-
There are 12 treatment rooms, a dedicated steam and sauna area, and a heated outdoor pool framed by cabanas and loungers, ideal for unwinding pre-or post-treatment.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
And if there is a party involved, the excitement would be about basking in Gillian’s glory — or just enjoying any excuse for a party.—
Judith Martin,
Mercury News,
4 May 2026
-
Stays at River Bluff Farm start with farm-fresh breakfasts and often involve floating down the river, picnicking atop the bluff, or basking in golden-hour views from the expansive deck.—
Hayley Hutson,
Travel + Leisure,
2 May 2026
Adjective
-
For Chamberlain, paintings—and paint itself—are nostalgic and comforting.—
Anna Grace Lee,
Vogue,
4 May 2026
-
The food was exactly the same—the menu is a fresh and creative take on regional flavors, yet still approachable and comforting.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 May 2026
Verb
-
Viewers play them while sleeping, studying, meditating or just decompressing.—
Samantha Agate,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Mar. 2026
-
But sound healing is more than just decompressing.—
Britt Julious,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Relaxing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/relaxing. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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