RELAX Synonyms: 86 Similar and Opposite Words

relax

verb

ri-ˈlaks

Definition of relax

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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

tense (up)

as in to loosen

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

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of relax Despite all this, the sisters believe that having places for children to play and relax is just as important as any other wartime necessity. — Literary Hub, 21 Oct. 2026 These compounds may help protect the cells lining blood vessels and improve the ability of arteries to relax and expand, which can lower blood pressure and reduce strain on the heart. — Faye Chiu, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2026 Corcoran relaxes with Max in the library on a circa 1900 French iron daybed settee from Fireside Antiques in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. — David Foxley, Architectural Digest, 21 Oct. 2026 Silhouettes are becoming more considered, with wide-leg, barrel and relaxed straight fits driving demand. — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 19 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for relax

Recent Examples of Synonyms for relax

Verb

The shrimp selections are the star of the table, with medium-size butterflied shrimp fried, grilled or served chilled.

— Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Oct. 2026
Once the bars have chilled, this is an easy way to remove them from the pan by pulling on the sides of the foil.

— Erin Merhar, Southern Living, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of chill

Verb

Their grip on song structure has loosened with each record and, by their most recent, 2024’s Exotic Birds of Prey, nearly dissipated altogether.

— Dash Lewis, Pitchfork, 23 Oct. 2026
His efforts to loosen dependence on America have earned his government sky-high approval ratings even as many Western governments face populations deeply unhappy with their rule.

— Fareed Zakaria, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of loosen

Verb

While Usher was off basking in the afterglow of Confessions, maturing into a divorcé in the mid-2000s, the R&B world was already priming itself for a new-school successor.

— Clover Hope, Pitchfork, 25 Oct. 2026
Once cast by some observers as the villain to Clark’s heroine, Reese has fought her way to the front of the pack and is now hoping to bask in the game’s brightest spotlight alone.

— Don Riddell, CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of bask

Verb

That one creative decision takes away Carrie’s agency at the most crucial moment and seriously undercuts the foundation on which the whole character arc rests.

— ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 21 Oct. 2026
Another photograph included in the court filing shows the object resting on aluminum foil beside what appears to be taco meat.

— Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of rest

Verb

The night before the show was spent at a refit, getting her hair done, and then decompressing with friends over drinks before, inevitably, running back to the Eiffel Tower.

— Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 6 Oct. 2026
The content creator and comedian has been living in New York for the summer, shooting his biggest movie role to date, and riding his bike through the city is his favorite way to decompress.

— Lucy Feldman, Time, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of decompress

Verb

Vague assurances In announcing the ban, Mayor Mamdani said any effort to wind down the industry should include steps to find jobs and economic security for those who the ban would put out of work.

— Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 22 Oct. 2026
Her departure follows the announcement earlier this week that Christiane Amanpour would be winding down her daily CNN International series and departing the network next year.

— Ted Johnson, Deadline, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of wind down

Verb

Almost exactly one year ago, fans of superstar singer Taylor Swift made a public plea for fans to chill out and stop staring into the Arrowhead Stadium suite owned by Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce.

— Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 19 Oct. 2026
For fans trying to stomach a brutal 2-0 series deficit, a free Budweiser stand was on hand at Wednesday’s game to help the faithful chill out and take the edge off before first pitch.

— Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of chill out

Browse Nearby Words

relaunching

relax

relaxant

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Relax.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/relax. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of relax

verb

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