1
as in to unwind
to get rid of nervous tension or anxiety
she took deep breaths to relax before going on stage
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
3
as in to bask
to refrain from labor or exertion
I just want to kick back and relax after mowing that huge lawn
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of relax
Located on the state’s southeastern coast, just 30 minutes north of glitzy West Palm Beach, Jupiter enjoys a slower, more serene pace that’s perfect for lazy days of relaxing with a view of the water.
—
Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 19 Sep. 2025
For those looking to relax in the pool area, there are seven cabanas stocked with bottled water, unlimited sunscreen products, after-sun lotion, private TVs, and a dedicated VIP attendant.
—Charlie Vargas, Oc Register, 19 Sep. 2025
Getting a massage and a facial on vacation is, of course, relaxing.
—Sarah Sekula, USA Today, 19 Sep. 2025
At night, the body releases the hormone melatonin that helps induce sleep and causes blood vessels to relax and widen (vasodilation).
—Md Published, Verywell Health, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for relax
Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 19 Sep. 2025
For those looking to relax in the pool area, there are seven cabanas stocked with bottled water, unlimited sunscreen products, after-sun lotion, private TVs, and a dedicated VIP attendant.
—Charlie Vargas, Oc Register, 19 Sep. 2025
Getting a massage and a facial on vacation is, of course, relaxing.
—Sarah Sekula, USA Today, 19 Sep. 2025
At night, the body releases the hormone melatonin that helps induce sleep and causes blood vessels to relax and widen (vasodilation).
—Md Published, Verywell Health, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for relax
Recent Examples of Synonyms for relax
Verb
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The Transportation Department proposed to unwind the venture in July, leading the airlines to object.—
Leslie Josephs,
CNBC,
16 Sep. 2025
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Over time, these pink lines can harden into long-term barriers that are difficult to unwind—even after their claims are disproven.—
Hannah Fried,
Time,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
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After being stuck on a boss, eternally forced to run back and replay swaths of danger for just another slim shot at winning, overcoming most challenges feels less like triumph and more like someone’s mercifully loosened the belt around your neck.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
19 Sep. 2025
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Rinse the seeds in cold water to help loosen the strands.—
Johna Burdeos,
Health,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Nothing quite compares to the joy of sitting by the beach, breathing in the warm ocean breeze, and basking in the beauty of your surroundings.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
16 Sep. 2025
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This is a case where people who have already gotten to know these characters and their travails on a small screen (the show ran for six seasons) are happy to spend extra money to bask in their further joys, sorrows, and anxieties writ large, on a big screen.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Dell’s downward-firing speakers, positioned underneath each side of the chassis, project decent sound quality if the laptop rests on a solid surface, not your lap.—
Charles Jefferies,
PC Magazine,
18 Sep. 2025
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The Queen, who had recently returned from Scotland, opted to rest at Windsor Castle ahead of the demanding diplomatic schedule.—
Amanda Castro
Hannah Parry
Shane Croucher
Jack Royston,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Then a typical work day involves plenty more opportunities to decompress.—
Spencer Elliott,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
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Ultimately, the full-body wiggle could help shake out the tension in your back, get your blood flowing, and decompress things a bit.—
Erica Sloan,
SELF,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The investigatory demand seeks to chill their services and advocacy, places an undue burden on Exodus to fulfill the request, exposes private information of its clients, and deters potential clients, according to the complaint.—
Cate Charron,
IndyStar,
19 Sep. 2025
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Feel free to play around with the ratio of vodka/gin to brine to water, and/or to add some dry vermouth straight into the pitcher before chilling.—
Alaina Chou,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Here’s where else to chill out, from Chicago to the Jersey Shore.—
John Metcalfe,
Mercury News,
18 Sep. 2025
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Across the field, Granite Hills’ talented junior quarterback, Zac Benitez, chilled out, bobbing his head to tunes playing on his headphones.—
Don Norcross,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Though the Eternal Sunshine Tour will be far smaller than Grande’s last trek, which spanned 10 months with nearly 100 dates, the Wicked star has expressed that winding down the scale of her touring output has been necessary to redefining her relationship to performing in a healthy way.—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
16 Sep. 2025
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When warm season vegetables such as peppers and tomatoes are starting to wind down for the season, a new group of garden veggies is ready for planting.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
16 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Relax.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/relax. Accessed 22 Sep. 2025.
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