1
as in careless
failing to give proper care and attention
lax parents who let their kids stay out as late as they want
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in relaxed
not bound by rigid standards
the guidelines for the essay contest were fairly lax, permitting a wide variety of topics
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of lax
Across the border in Kansas, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation raided 18 hemp stores across the state in an effort to end lax enforcement of laws against marijuana and THC in Kansas.
—
Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 26 Mar. 2026
Texas now has the fastest-growing data center market in the country, with developers drawn to its available power capacity, lax regulations, incentives and open land.
—Karoline Leonard, Austin American Statesman, 24 Mar. 2026
Families have described contaminated food, lax education and inadequate medical care.
—Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC news, 24 Mar. 2026
The effect of Colorado’s notoriously lax funeral home regulations burst into public view in 2018, when an FBI raid on Sunset Mesa Funeral Directors in Montrose found that mother-daughter team Megan Hess and Shirley Koch stole and sold hundreds of bodies around the world to turn a profit.
—Katie Langford, Denver Post, 22 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for lax
Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 26 Mar. 2026
Texas now has the fastest-growing data center market in the country, with developers drawn to its available power capacity, lax regulations, incentives and open land.
—Karoline Leonard, Austin American Statesman, 24 Mar. 2026
Families have described contaminated food, lax education and inadequate medical care.
—Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC news, 24 Mar. 2026
The effect of Colorado’s notoriously lax funeral home regulations burst into public view in 2018, when an FBI raid on Sunset Mesa Funeral Directors in Montrose found that mother-daughter team Megan Hess and Shirley Koch stole and sold hundreds of bodies around the world to turn a profit.
—Katie Langford, Denver Post, 22 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for lax
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lax
Adjective
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Littleton police say the driver behind the wheel of a semi-truck that crashed into a QuickTrip on West Belleview Avenue and smashed a car against a wall is facing careless driving charges.—
Karen Morfitt,
CBS News,
4 Apr. 2026
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In 2009, Woods was cited for careless driving.—
Amanda Musa,
CNN Money,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The contrast in the shoe creates a very polished look without losing the relaxed feel of the denim.—
René Chávez Esparza,
Glamour,
30 Mar. 2026
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The diner fashioned a cozy, relaxed atmosphere.—
Emma Hall,
Sacbee.com,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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For now, though, Detroit’s automakers are leaning into the lucre that comes from selling millions of fossil-fuel vehicles in a rare moment of loosened regulation.—
Bloomberg,
Oc Register,
24 Feb. 2026
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Next, carefully remove the bowl from the microwave and use a microfiber cloth to wipe away all the loosened grime.—
Maria Sabella,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Sid lives in the town of Matakana with her single, sometimes-neglectful alcoholic father Leo (Noah Taylor), who wanted to be a painter but now mows the lawns of rich neighbors and visiting Auckland rich boys occupying the beachfront mansions nearby in Omaha.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
15 Mar. 2026
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Dysfunctional families can look many different ways, but typically are controlling, secretive, neglectful, and uncommunicative.—
Sherri Gordon,
Parents,
15 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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There was experimental literature in which the role of the author could be tweaked; in popular fiction, authorship could be a flexible concept.—
Joshua Rothman,
New Yorker,
3 Apr. 2026
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According to experts, someone can be easygoing without being passive, or flexible while also staying engaged.—
Jenna Ryu,
SELF,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The live-action show is a rather loose adaptation of the original manga, presenting itself as a glossy prestige drama, a bit more serious than its source material.—
Wilson Chapman,
IndieWire,
3 Apr. 2026
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Rodón, 33, is working his way back from an October operation to remove a bone spur and loose bodies in his left elbow.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Just don’t get lazy about it… Need a news break?—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
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Jones had complained that Wallace was lazy at work before Wallace was fired.—
Peter D'Abrosca,
FOXNews.com,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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This team is inconsistent, sloppy and soft.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
2 Apr. 2026
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Just six of those came in the second half and the Bruins took better care of the ball while running their offense more efficiently, but sloppy play and frustration have flared up despite the Bruins’ veteran leadership.—
Marisa Ingemi,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lax.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lax. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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