relax
verb
re·lax ri-ˈlaks 
relaxed; relaxing; relaxes
transitive verb
1
: to make less tense or rigid : slacken
relaxed his grip
2
: to make less severe or stringent : modify
relax immigration laws
3
: to deprive of energy, zeal, or strength of purpose
4
: to relieve from nervous tension
5
: to treat (hair) chemically in order to relax curls
intransitive verb
1
: to become lax, weak, or loose : rest
2
: to become less intense or severe
hoped the committee would relax in its opposition
3
of a muscle or muscle fiber : to become inactive and lengthen
4
: to cast off social restraint, nervous tension, or anxiety
couldn't relax in crowds
5
: to seek rest or recreation
relax at the seashore
6
: to relieve constipation
7
: to attain equilibrium following the abrupt removal of some influence (such as light, high temperature, or stress)
relaxer noun
Synonyms
- chill
- chill out [slang]
- decompress
- de-stress
- loosen up
- mellow (out)
- unwind
- wind down
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
The muscles in my neck and shoulders should relax after a nice hot shower. A hot shower relaxed the tight muscles in my neck and shoulders. I can't relax with all this noise! Just relax, there's nothing to worry about. Try to relax and enjoy the ride.
Recent Examples on the Web Back in June investors seemed to have capitulated, but increasing hopes that inflation would fade away and the Fed be able to relax drove the S&P 500 up 17% over the summer. 
James Mackintosh, WSJ, 14 Sep. 2022 Analysts say that the country is unlikely to relax its Covid rules before the Communist Party congress beginning on October 16. Laura He, CNN, 12 Sep. 2022 Her press secretaries often described the trips to Kentucky as vacations — a time for the queen to relax and stay out of the public eye. Kirby Adams, The Courier-Journal, 9 Sep. 2022 That afforded players an opportunity to relax, even if most of them were antsy about the returning to the field. Tom Green | Tgreen@al.com, al, 4 Sep. 2022 Still, Qatar has had to relax its regulation of alcohol for the 29-day tournament starting Nov. 20. Graham Dunbar, ajc, 3 Sep. 2022 Even then, there was no time to relax; more than once, an error somewhere in the loop shut everything down after just a few kWh. Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, 13 July 2022 The Aqua Nick Water Park, Character Central, and Club Nick are entertaining for kids, and for adults, there's the spa for some time to relax. Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 8 June 2022 Companies like Cerebral and Done grew quickly after the pandemic prompted the government to relax a rule that requires an in-person appointment before prescribing a stimulant. Rolfe Winkler, WSJ, 1 Sep. 2022 See More
James Mackintosh, WSJ, 14 Sep. 2022 Analysts say that the country is unlikely to relax its Covid rules before the Communist Party congress beginning on October 16. Laura He, CNN, 12 Sep. 2022 Her press secretaries often described the trips to Kentucky as vacations — a time for the queen to relax and stay out of the public eye. Kirby Adams, The Courier-Journal, 9 Sep. 2022 That afforded players an opportunity to relax, even if most of them were antsy about the returning to the field. Tom Green | Tgreen@al.com, al, 4 Sep. 2022 Still, Qatar has had to relax its regulation of alcohol for the 29-day tournament starting Nov. 20. Graham Dunbar, ajc, 3 Sep. 2022 Even then, there was no time to relax; more than once, an error somewhere in the loop shut everything down after just a few kWh. Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, 13 July 2022 The Aqua Nick Water Park, Character Central, and Club Nick are entertaining for kids, and for adults, there's the spa for some time to relax. Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 8 June 2022 Companies like Cerebral and Done grew quickly after the pandemic prompted the government to relax a rule that requires an in-person appointment before prescribing a stimulant. Rolfe Winkler, WSJ, 1 Sep. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Latin relaxare, from re- + laxare to loosen, from laxus loose — more at slack
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Kids Definition
relax
verb
re·lax ri-ˈlaks
relaxed; relaxing
1
: to make or become loose or less tense
Relax your muscles.
She relaxed her grip on the reins.
2
: to make or become less severe or strict
Mom relaxed the rules for the summer.
3
: to become calm and free from stress
4
: to seek rest or enjoyment
You can relax at the beach.
Medical Definition
relax
transitive verb
re·lax ri-ˈlaks
1
: to slacken or make less tense or rigid
alternately contracting and relaxing their muscles
2
: to relieve from nervous tension
3
: to relieve from constipation
medications to relax the bowels
intransitive verb
1
of a muscle or muscle fiber : to return to an inactive or resting state
especially : to become inactive and lengthen
2
: to cast off social restraint, nervous tension, or anxiety
couldn't relax in crowds
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
Relevance
- soothing
- tranquilizing
- comforting
- tranquillizing
- quieting
- calming
- hypnotic
- sedative
- lulling
- dreamy
- narcotic
- pacifying
- deadening
- analgesic
- opiate
- anesthetic
- depressant
- anodyne
- antianxiety
- antidepressant
- numbing
- antistress
- antidepression
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- painful
- stressful
- tiresome
- troubling
- stimulating
- unsettling
- trying
- worrisome
- troublesome
- stimulant
- energizing
- frustrating
- invigorating
- annoying
- irritating
- aggravating
- disturbing
- bothersome
- maddening
- exasperating
- irksome
- vexatious
- vexing
- galling
- harassing
- nettlesome
- grating
relaxing
2 of 2verb
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
- de-stressing
- calming
- basking
- hanging loose
- lounging
- loosening up
- composing
- winding down
- comforting
- chilling out
- lazing
- settling
- loafing
- relieving
- cooling
- mellowing (out)
- idling
- lolling
- alleviating
- quieting
- bumming
- unbending
- easing
- vegetating
- dawdling
- reposing
- kicking back
- droning
- dillydallying
- zoning out
- footling
- vegging out
- dallying
- hacking (around)
- goofing (off)
- hanging (around or out)
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
- easing
- slackening
- freeing
- detaching
- unbinding
- undoing
- untying
- untieing
- unfastening
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- stretching
- tightening
- straining
- binding
- tensing
- tying
- attaching
- restraining
- fastening
- tensioning
- constraining
- tieing
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
- lolling
- reposing
- kicking back
- loafing
- idling
- bumming
- hanging around
- goldbricking
- hanging about
- vegging out
- slacking (off)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- working
- laboring
- struggling
- striving
- sweating
- hustling
- plodding
- plowing
- plugging
- straining
- exercising
- slaving
- toiling
- humping
- grubbing
- slogging
- pegging (away)
- travailing
- drudging
- working out
- moiling