as in soothing
tending to calm the emotions and relieve stress
a relaxing cup of chamomile tea
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in chilling
to get rid of nervous tension or anxiety
she took deep breaths to relax before going on stage
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in loosening
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 resting
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of relaxing
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2026
The cocooning effect is helped along by Jacques Garcia’s interiors, layered with taupes and burgundies, velvet and lacquer (and some 6,000 meters of damask silk thrown in the mix), into a hideaway that’s both ornate and relaxing.
—Lindsey Tramuta, Robb Report, 2 Apr. 2026
After consistently using these tips, hopefully, your household chores will become less daunting and more relaxing.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Apr. 2026
To create a relaxing, timeless home rather than a viral hit.
—Shagun Khare, The Spruce, 31 Mar. 2026
Luna Island is a unique spot to visit situated between the American and Bridal Veil Falls, while the Three Sisters Islands have calmer, more relaxing views of the river.
—Jamie Spain, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Mar. 2026
Meanwhile, some of the least stressed states may offer clues for those seeking a more relaxing getaway.
—Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 28 Mar. 2026
Others use kratom to self-treat chronic pain, to get a relaxing high or to self-treat mental health issues such as anxiety, depression or post-traumatic stress disorder.
—Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 27 Mar. 2026
And for me, there’s no better detour in Europe than visiting a public bath or spa for a relaxing, good soak.
—Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 26 Mar. 2026
Madison Flager, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Apr. 2026
Meditation exercises can set the stage for a good night’s sleep, and an inexpensive noise machine can help with relaxing sounds.
—Sharon Basaraba, Verywell Health, 3 Apr. 2026
The sound of trickling water is relaxing, and the decorative look of the fountain is just as pleasing.
—Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 3 Apr. 2026
Our top pick is the CalmNFiz Shower Steamers, which come with eight relaxing scents like grapefruit and lavender.
—Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 1 Apr. 2026
The property’s formal gardens lend a relaxing backdrop to a stone gazebo with a wood-burning stove.
—Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 1 Apr. 2026
But local housing advocates worry that relaxing the rules would be a handout for developers that wouldn’t necessarily lead to more affordable housing.
—Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 31 Mar. 2026
What about relaxing or zoning out?
—Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 31 Mar. 2026
Gear up for relaxing summer nights with this outdoor patio sofa.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
Adjective
Few things can ruin a relaxing afternoon outdoors faster than an uninvited wasp buzzing around your head.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2026
The cocooning effect is helped along by Jacques Garcia’s interiors, layered with taupes and burgundies, velvet and lacquer (and some 6,000 meters of damask silk thrown in the mix), into a hideaway that’s both ornate and relaxing.
—Lindsey Tramuta, Robb Report, 2 Apr. 2026
After consistently using these tips, hopefully, your household chores will become less daunting and more relaxing.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Apr. 2026
To create a relaxing, timeless home rather than a viral hit.
—Shagun Khare, The Spruce, 31 Mar. 2026
Luna Island is a unique spot to visit situated between the American and Bridal Veil Falls, while the Three Sisters Islands have calmer, more relaxing views of the river.
—Jamie Spain, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Mar. 2026
Meanwhile, some of the least stressed states may offer clues for those seeking a more relaxing getaway.
—Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 28 Mar. 2026
Others use kratom to self-treat chronic pain, to get a relaxing high or to self-treat mental health issues such as anxiety, depression or post-traumatic stress disorder.
—Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 27 Mar. 2026
And for me, there’s no better detour in Europe than visiting a public bath or spa for a relaxing, good soak.
—Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 26 Mar. 2026
Verb
For a relaxing post-race stay, check into the Mandarin Oriental Qianmen, Beijing, with its award-winning spa (after a massage, consider the tea meditation too) and standout dining options, from Italian to dim sum.
—Madison Flager, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Apr. 2026
Meditation exercises can set the stage for a good night’s sleep, and an inexpensive noise machine can help with relaxing sounds.
—Sharon Basaraba, Verywell Health, 3 Apr. 2026
The sound of trickling water is relaxing, and the decorative look of the fountain is just as pleasing.
—Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 3 Apr. 2026
Our top pick is the CalmNFiz Shower Steamers, which come with eight relaxing scents like grapefruit and lavender.
—Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 1 Apr. 2026
The property’s formal gardens lend a relaxing backdrop to a stone gazebo with a wood-burning stove.
—Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 1 Apr. 2026
But local housing advocates worry that relaxing the rules would be a handout for developers that wouldn’t necessarily lead to more affordable housing.
—Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 31 Mar. 2026
What about relaxing or zoning out?
—Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 31 Mar. 2026
Gear up for relaxing summer nights with this outdoor patio sofa.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for relaxing
Adjective
-
The formula includes soothing hydrators such as glycerin, dimethicone, and glyceryl behenate, plus antioxidants (vitamin E and C derivatives) to help calm and protect the skin.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Miami Herald,
30 Mar. 2026
-
The design is modern and clean-lined with soaring peaked ceilings, lots of dark wood, soothing white and neutral accents and, importantly, private outdoor space.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Some seeds might require a short period of chilling before being sown.—
Tim Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Thankfully, Janus Films will release Kurosawa’s bone-chilling short at IFC Center in New York City starting this weekend.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
That’s when something tightened, a brief, instinctual clam-closing and then loosening again just as fast.—
Dawn Lerman,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Lawmakers will debate bills related to loosening gun regulations at colleges in at least eight states this year, including Florida, Louisiana, New Hampshire, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah, Virginia and Wyoming.—
Alexandra Koch,
FOXNews.com,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
There is mopping, dusting, cutting, resting going on.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Apr. 2026
-
The crew's sleeping arrangement involves attaching sleeping bags to the walls of the craft and resting for eight hours, according to NASA.—
Mason Leib,
ABC News,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
There’s nothing wrong with legislators unwinding and heading back to their districts, but Americans are reasonably annoyed to see their representatives at a casino or theme park amid a partial government shutdown.—
Editorial Board,
Washington Post,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Stock up on cheese at the Door County Creamery before unwinding with a Wisconsin Old Fashioned at Sister Bay Bowl, a supper club-meets-bowling alley.—
Katy Spratte Joyce,
Midwest Living,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Both thrive in slightly acidic soil, love basking in full sun, and appreciate regular watering.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
1 Apr. 2026
-
But unlike the easily predictable radiation exposures from flying through the Van Allen Belts or basking in the background flux of galactic cosmic rays, the dose an astronaut gets from solar activity can vary enormously.—
Meghan Bartels,
Scientific American,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Both Tehran and Washington are pushing their own comforting versions of reality.—
Newsweek Editors,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Maybe the pretense was comforting to him, too.—
Cassandra Neyenesch,
New Yorker,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Viewers play them while sleeping, studying, meditating or just decompressing.—
Samantha Agate,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Mar. 2026
-
But sound healing is more than just decompressing.—
Britt Julious,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Relaxing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/relaxing. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.
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