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\)
Synonyms
Examples of lax in a Sentence
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
Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 30 Jan. 2025
But having more lax exceptions was the most popular option among respondents.
—Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 17 Jan. 2025
Bolden, who’d warned about lax security practices around President John F. Kennedy, was charged in 1964 with attempting to sell a copy of a Secret Service file to a ring of counterfeiters.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 17 Jan. 2025
The more lax rules come after several developments, including Meta donating $1 million to President-elect Donald Trump's inaugural fund.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 8 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for lax 
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Adjective
So it might have been predicted that some who made it through that lax gauntlet were going to get in trouble again.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 30 Jan. 2025
But having more lax exceptions was the most popular option among respondents.
—Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 17 Jan. 2025
Bolden, who’d warned about lax security practices around President John F. Kennedy, was charged in 1964 with attempting to sell a copy of a Secret Service file to a ring of counterfeiters.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 17 Jan. 2025
The more lax rules come after several developments, including Meta donating $1 million to President-elect Donald Trump's inaugural fund.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 8 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for lax
Dictionary Entries Near lax
Cite this Entry
“Lax.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lax. Accessed 12 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
lax
adjective1
of the bowels
: loose sense 3
2
: having loose bowels
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