lax
1 of 2adjective
ˈlaks 
1
a
of the bowels : loose, open
b
: having loose bowels
2
: deficient in firmness : not stringent
lax control
a lax foreman
security has been lax
3
a
: not tense, firm, or rigid : slack
a lax rope
b
: having an open or loose texture
a lax soil
c
: having the constituents spread apart
a lax flower cluster
4
: articulated with the muscles involved in a relatively relaxed state (such as the vowel \\i\\ in contrast with the vowel \\ē\\)
laxation
lak-ˈsā-shən
noun laxly
ˈlaks-lē
adverb laxness noun
lax
2 of 2noun
: lacrosse
Synonyms
Adjective
- careless
- derelict
- disregardful
- lazy
- neglectful
- neglecting
- negligent
- remiss
- slack
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Adjective The university has been lax about enforcing these rules. lax parents who let their kids stay out as late as they want
Recent Examples on the Web
BostonGlobe.com, 1 Sep. 2022 Musk’s team cites the FTC settlement, Twitter’s allegedly lax security and other allegations made in Zatko’s complaint as reasons to end the deal. Cat Zakrzewski, Washington Post, 30 Aug. 2022 This lax environment was formed through a perfect storm of political attacks, and a persistent and uniquely American belief in the power of private-sector altruism. Jasper Craven, The New Republic, 29 Aug. 2022 Zatko’s complaint against Twitter contains dozens of allegations about what the company did wrong, including lax device security, poor control of its production environment, missaccounting of bot accounts, and more. Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 25 Aug. 2022 Among its shortcomings, Hochberg said, are a lack of incentives for low-income communities and too-lax standards for cleaning up emissions from internal-combustion engines sold before the fleet goes all-electric. Dino Grandoni And Evan Halper, Anchorage Daily News, 24 Aug. 2022 In one instance, the complaint alleges, the Indian government required Twitter to hire specific individuals alleged to be spies, and who would have had significant access to sensitive data thanks to Twitter's own lax security controls. CBS News, 24 Aug. 2022 After initially being released without bail under the state's lax criminal laws, he was arrested Saturday on federal charges of attacking a congressman with a dangerous weapon. Laura Prabucki, Fox News, 28 July 2022 The ramshackle facility was known for its bar, which featured a big screen, an HBO subscription and a lax policy toward the sale of beer to Marquette University freshmen. Patrick Sauer, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 Aug. 2022 See More
Adjective
Last week, The Washington Post reported that the company’s former head of security, Peiter Zatko, filed a whistle-blower complaint with regulators, alleging that the company had lax security practices. BostonGlobe.com, 1 Sep. 2022 Musk’s team cites the FTC settlement, Twitter’s allegedly lax security and other allegations made in Zatko’s complaint as reasons to end the deal. Cat Zakrzewski, Washington Post, 30 Aug. 2022 This lax environment was formed through a perfect storm of political attacks, and a persistent and uniquely American belief in the power of private-sector altruism. Jasper Craven, The New Republic, 29 Aug. 2022 Zatko’s complaint against Twitter contains dozens of allegations about what the company did wrong, including lax device security, poor control of its production environment, missaccounting of bot accounts, and more. Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 25 Aug. 2022 Among its shortcomings, Hochberg said, are a lack of incentives for low-income communities and too-lax standards for cleaning up emissions from internal-combustion engines sold before the fleet goes all-electric. Dino Grandoni And Evan Halper, Anchorage Daily News, 24 Aug. 2022 In one instance, the complaint alleges, the Indian government required Twitter to hire specific individuals alleged to be spies, and who would have had significant access to sensitive data thanks to Twitter's own lax security controls. CBS News, 24 Aug. 2022 After initially being released without bail under the state's lax criminal laws, he was arrested Saturday on federal charges of attacking a congressman with a dangerous weapon. Laura Prabucki, Fox News, 28 July 2022 The ramshackle facility was known for its bar, which featured a big screen, an HBO subscription and a lax policy toward the sale of beer to Marquette University freshmen. Patrick Sauer, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Adjective
Middle English, from Latin laxus loose — more at slack
Noun
by shortening & alteration (x as symbol for -crosse)
First Known Use
Adjective
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Noun
1951, in the meaning defined above
Kids Definition
lax
adjective
ˈlaks
1
: not firm or tight : loose
The straps were lax.
2
: not stern or strict
lax discipline
Medical Definition
lax
adjective
ˈlaks
1
of the bowels : loose sense 3
2
: having loose bowels
lax
adjective
1
as in careless
failing to give proper care and attention lax parents who let their kids stay out as late as they want Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- careless
- neglectful
- neglecting
- lazy
- negligent
- slack
- derelict
- reckless
- remiss
- disregardful
- irresponsible
- forgetful
- oblivious
- inattentive
- heedless
- thoughtless
- disregarding
- unmindful
- incautious
- disinterested
- delinquent
- unconcerned
- uninterested
- indifferent
- loose
- apathetic
- unguarded
- wild
- unthinking
- unwary
- unheeding
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- careful
- conscientious
- meticulous
- punctilious
- cautious
- vigilant
- attentive
- circumspect
- nonnegligent
- wary
- watchful
- painstaking
- regarding
- mindful
- responsible
- guarded
- chary
- observant
- alert
- thinking
- concerned
- heedful
- thoughtful
- provident
- interested
- gingerly
- regardful
- forethoughtful
- foresighted
- heeding
2
as in relaxed
not bound by rigid standards the guidelines for the essay contest were fairly lax, permitting a wide variety of topics Synonyms & Similar Words
- relaxed
- flexible
- sloppy
- careless
- slack
- negligent
- loose
- slipshod
- lazy
- unrestricted
- neglectful
- easygoing
- slovenly
- unrestrained
- irresponsible
- remiss
- sloven
- heedless
- derelict
- unfussy
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- strict
- rigid
- severe
- rigorous
- hard
- harsh
- stern
- tight
- restricted
- careful
- restrained
- scrupulous
- conscientious
- meticulous
- exact
- constrained
- inflexible
- punctilious
- fussy
- painstaking
- implacable
3
as in loosened
not tightly fastened, tied, or stretched the sheet on the foresail was lax, and so the sail was flapping wildly in the stiff wind Synonyms & Similar Words
- loosened
- loose
- slack
- relaxed
- slackened
- insecure
- detached
- undone
- unsecured
- unbound
- untied
- baggy
- unfastened
- unattached
- free
- saggy
- blousy
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- tight
- taut
- tense
- restrained
- constrained
- bound
- attached
- tied
- fast
- firm
- stuck
- snug
- fastened
- jammed
- wedged
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of lax are neglectful, negligent, remiss, and slack. While all these words mean "culpably careless or indicative of such carelessness," lax implies a blameworthy lack of strictness, severity, or precision.
a reporter lax about accurate quotation
While in some cases nearly identical to lax, neglectful adds a more disapproving implication of laziness or deliberate inattention.
a society callously neglectful of the poor
Although the words negligent and lax have much in common, negligent implies inattention to one's duty or business.
negligent about writing a note of thanks
The words remiss and lax are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, remiss implies blameworthy carelessness shown in slackness, forgetfulness, or neglect.
had been remiss in their familial duties
While the synonyms slack and lax are close in meaning, slack implies want of due or necessary diligence or care.
slack workmanship