as in to relax
to get rid of nervous tension or anxiety
after she gets home from work, she needs some time to decompress before preparing dinner
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in relaxation
freedom from activity or labor
the waitstaff gets a welcome period of decompression between the lunch and dinner rushes
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of decompress
Jenna Ryu, SELF, 20 Jan. 2026
The blend of flower extracts, among them jasmine, orchid, lavender, and blue lotus, lend the bath a floral fragrance—ideal for decompressing after a long day.
—Deanna Pai, Vogue, 19 Jan. 2026
Glamour, 9 Dec. 2025
Found in translation In a way, human language acts as a compression and decompression scheme—the listener must decompress the meaning of words in the same way the speaker intended when encoding the message for them to be properly understood.
—ArsTechnica, 23 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for decompress
Verb
Plan time to decompress after family interactions.
—Jenna Ryu, SELF, 20 Jan. 2026
The blend of flower extracts, among them jasmine, orchid, lavender, and blue lotus, lend the bath a floral fragrance—ideal for decompressing after a long day.
—Deanna Pai, Vogue, 19 Jan. 2026
Noun
Having decompression hobbies has been really good for me as well.
—Glamour, 9 Dec. 2025
Found in translation In a way, human language acts as a compression and decompression scheme—the listener must decompress the meaning of words in the same way the speaker intended when encoding the message for them to be properly understood.
—ArsTechnica, 23 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for decompress
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decompress
Verb
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College students in Indiana will have time off from classes to can relax, pick up more hours at their jobs or jet-set off to a hotspot spring break destination (Florida, probably).—
Katie Wiseman,
IndyStar,
13 Feb. 2026
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The design hugs the ankle before relaxing into a gentle slouch through the leg.—
Kelsey Stewart,
Footwear News,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
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One thing Lindenmeyr always recommends splurging on in the name of relaxation?—
Erik Buckingham,
Condé Nast Traveler,
6 Feb. 2026
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Aquagranda Livigno The Aquagranda wellness and relaxation center is one of the largest in Europe.—
Andrea Onate,
Footwear News,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
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And don’t forget to fit in at least one to two days a week of rest or active recovery (with low-intensity movement, like yoga or a gentle walk).—
Erica Sloan,
SELF,
10 Feb. 2026
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Several short daily play sessions followed by a meal mimics the hunt-eat-rest cycle, and does wonders for a cat’s physical and emotional well-being.—
Cathy M. Rosenthal,
San Antonio Express-News,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Decompress.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decompress. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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