1
as in rests
to get rid of nervous tension or anxiety
she took deep breaths to relax before going on stage
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in loosens
to make less taut
relax the rope a bit so I can pick up the slack and tie this knot
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in basks
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 relaxes
Both are normal responses as the body relaxes.
—
Sara Moniuszko, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026
Don’t be afraid to suggest budget caps for group plans, because everyone relaxes when guidelines are simple and visible.
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 12 Mar. 2026
Rising Star in Beverly Hills Gable relaxes on the veranda of his new Beverly Hills rental home in this 1931 photo, which accompanied an article in Screenland magazine.
—Katie Schultz, Architectural Digest, 24 Feb. 2026
In the clip, Megan relaxes on a hotel bed wearing a long, bombshell-blonde wig in the most divine blend of honeyed shades, styled in lush, loose waves by her hairstylist Kellon Deryck.
—Kara Nesvig, Allure, 23 Feb. 2026
More tournaments to come While Yount has developed a near-superpower of watching 12 mats at once, Smith, for the most part, relaxes in his seat and enjoys the show at Ball Arena while Yount scribbles on his brackets.
—Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 21 Feb. 2026
Advertisement The ruling also relaxes limits on a number of other pollutants released by burning coal, such as arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead, and nickel.
—Simmone Shah, Time, 20 Feb. 2026
House Bill 267 relaxes funding restrictions to the State Housing Initiatives Program, known as SHIP, which provides local governments with money to promote housing affordability for residents.
—Max Klaver, Miami Herald, 13 Feb. 2026
Néfissa relaxes with all generations of her sprawling family.
—Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 13 Feb. 2026
Sara Moniuszko, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026
Don’t be afraid to suggest budget caps for group plans, because everyone relaxes when guidelines are simple and visible.
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 12 Mar. 2026
Rising Star in Beverly Hills Gable relaxes on the veranda of his new Beverly Hills rental home in this 1931 photo, which accompanied an article in Screenland magazine.
—Katie Schultz, Architectural Digest, 24 Feb. 2026
In the clip, Megan relaxes on a hotel bed wearing a long, bombshell-blonde wig in the most divine blend of honeyed shades, styled in lush, loose waves by her hairstylist Kellon Deryck.
—Kara Nesvig, Allure, 23 Feb. 2026
More tournaments to come While Yount has developed a near-superpower of watching 12 mats at once, Smith, for the most part, relaxes in his seat and enjoys the show at Ball Arena while Yount scribbles on his brackets.
—Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 21 Feb. 2026
Advertisement The ruling also relaxes limits on a number of other pollutants released by burning coal, such as arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead, and nickel.
—Simmone Shah, Time, 20 Feb. 2026
House Bill 267 relaxes funding restrictions to the State Housing Initiatives Program, known as SHIP, which provides local governments with money to promote housing affordability for residents.
—Max Klaver, Miami Herald, 13 Feb. 2026
Néfissa relaxes with all generations of her sprawling family.
—Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 13 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for relaxes
Verb
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The project has dragged on for four years, and Belinda Hernandez-Arriaga, founder of a farmworker advocacy group called ALAS, said the problem at 555 Kelly rests at the local level.—
John Ramos,
CBS News,
30 Mar. 2026
-
And America’s constitutional system, unlike Russia’s, rests on consent of the governed.—
Jason Willick,
Washington Post,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The bill also loosens rules around building increasingly popular accessory dwelling units (ADUs) — such as granny flats, in-law suites or backyard cottages — alongside existing structures.—
Bob Woods,
CNBC,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Other people’s reactions bleed into your own experience; the boundary between self and crowd loosens.—
Yook JiHun,
Popular Science,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Floorboards and beige walls didn’t do much to set the mood, but they were beautifully accompanied by period furniture and lamps, that kept the post-war vibe the rest of the hotel basks in.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Mar. 2026
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The longstanding vacation spot basks in 343 sunny days a year, perfect for lounging on white-quartz sands or marveling at nature both above and below the water.—
Symiah Dorsey,
Southern Living,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The current crisis in Iran has sent memories bubbling to the surface for the collective, and chills down the spines of viewers.—
Chloe Shrager,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Mar. 2026
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Uncertainty chills the market TOPSHOT - Smoke rises from the direction of an energy installation in the Gulf emirate of Fujairah on March 14, 2026.—
Greg Iacurci,
CNBC,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
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After a day on the river or in the hills, this is where Reno unwinds.—
Ted Alvarez,
Outside,
4 Mar. 2026
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Franny unwinds the silk scarf from her neck and pulls back her long hair, which is still damp with sweat from the rush to board.—
Danielle Parker,
CBS News,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Using contoured foam rollers built into an adjustable frame, the bed gently decompresses the spine while massaging muscles along the way.—
Joe Jackson,
Outside,
20 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Relaxes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/relaxes. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.
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