de-stressing

verb

present participle of de-stress
as in relaxing
to get rid of nervous tension or anxiety he watches classic movie comedies as a way to de-stress

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 de-stressing That palms-together, head-bobbing, smiling Thai service creates the most soothing, de-stressing atmosphere. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026 Progressive muscle relaxation helps with de-stressing by tapping into your mind-body connection. — Stefanie Groner, Glamour, 4 Feb. 2026 This includes beauty and barber shops, gym and fitness studios, health and beauty spas and massage parlors — perfect for de-stressing after the holidays. — Ryley Amond, CNBC, 1 Jan. 2026 Between holiday gift shopping, party planning, and traveling, everyone could use a little de-stressing this time of the year. — Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 25 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for de-stressing
relaxing
Verb
  • Pair your time in the pool with relaxing massages and facials, the former with organic oils scented with herbs and flowers from the island, and the latter with products from Rowse, the natural and cruelty-free cosmetics brand.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Gliding swings use a gentle gliding motion for relaxing your baby.
    — BestReviews, Mercury News, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of relaxing

Browse Nearby Words

de-stresses
de-stressing
destroy
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“De-stressing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/de-stressing. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of rigmarole

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
alt-684346df967d5
Add A Letter Quiz Pick the letter that goes in the same spot in fou...
See All