LAX Synonyms: 113 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'lax' different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of lax are neglectful , negligent , remiss , and slack . While all these words mean "culpably careless or indicative of such carelessness," lax implies a blameworthy lack of strictness, severity, or precision. // a reporter lax about accurate quotation

Q: When could 'neglectful' be used to replace 'lax'?

While in some cases nearly identical to lax , neglectful adds a more disapproving implication of laziness or deliberate inattention. // a society callously neglectful of the poor

Q: When would 'negligent' be a good substitute for 'lax'?

Although the words negligent and lax have much in common, negligent implies inattention to one's duty or business. // negligent about writing a note of thanks

Q: When is 'remiss' a more appropriate choice than 'lax'?

The words remiss and lax are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, remiss implies blameworthy carelessness shown in slackness, forgetfulness, or neglect. // had been remiss in their familial duties

Q: When can 'slack' be used instead of 'lax'?

While the synonyms slack and lax are close in meaning, slack implies want of due or necessary diligence or care. // slack workmanship

lax

adjective

ˈlaks

Definition of lax

as in careless

failing to give proper care and attention lax parents who let their kids stay out as late as they want

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in relaxed

not bound by rigid standards the guidelines for the essay contest were fairly lax, permitting a wide variety of topics

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in loosened

not tightly fastened, tied, or stretched the sheet on the foresail was lax, and so the sail was flapping wildly in the stiff wind

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word lax different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of lax are neglectful, negligent, remiss, and slack. While all these words mean "culpably careless or indicative of such carelessness," lax implies a blameworthy lack of strictness, severity, or precision.

a reporter lax about accurate quotation

When could neglectful be used to replace lax?

While in some cases nearly identical to lax, neglectful adds a more disapproving implication of laziness or deliberate inattention.

a society callously neglectful of the poor

When would negligent be a good substitute for lax?

Although the words negligent and lax have much in common, negligent implies inattention to one's duty or business.

negligent about writing a note of thanks

When is remiss a more appropriate choice than lax?

The words remiss and lax are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, remiss implies blameworthy carelessness shown in slackness, forgetfulness, or neglect.

had been remiss in their familial duties

When can slack be used instead of lax?

While the synonyms slack and lax are close in meaning, slack implies want of due or necessary diligence or care.

slack workmanship

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 lax Right-wing parties around the continent blamed the incident on Spain's comparatively lax migration policies, including an amnesty granted to hundreds of thousands of unauthorised migrants this year. — Michael Francis Gore, USA Today, 31 July 2026 Majorities of Americans are worried about election officials being coerced, lax ballot security, and voter intimidation leading up to the 2026 midterm elections, according to new polling from Gallup. — Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 30 July 2026 Security at the bankrupt development was lax but oversight has since been improved, Petty said, with round-the-clock security guards, cameras, laser devices and tall metal walls topped with razor wire. — Roger Vincent, Los Angeles Times, 23 July 2026 As competition between telehealth companies grows and more powerful obesity drugs come to the market, experts fear lax clinical oversight means some patients could be at greater risk of developing potentially serious side effects. — Elaine Chen, STAT, 20 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for lax

Recent Examples of Synonyms for lax

Adjective

Jaynes pleaded not guilty Monday to a felony count of leaving the scene of an accident causing property damage of more than $10,000 and a traffic violation of careless and prohibited driving.

— Grant Lancaster, Arkansas Online, 29 July 2026
Myers, however, threw a careless hit that concussed Matty Beniers during his rookie campaign, and Kraken fans have long remembered that sequence.

— Sean McIndoe, New York Times, 25 July 2026

Definition of careless

Adjective

Use a damp microfiber cloth to wipe away the loosened gum and any soapy residue.

— Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 9 Aug. 2026
Hence shirt jackets and safari jackets in linen and leather came to the fore, as did denim Bermudas, linen polos and lots of lifestyle knits amid its more formal, full-canvas tailoring — styled with a loosened tie.

— Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 22 June 2026

Definition of loosened

Adjective

Still, Duncan on Friday argued that the move is a mistake that empowers neglectful landlords and fails tenants.

— Dylan Lysen, Kansas City Star, 14 Aug. 2026
Played by Rhea Perlman alongside her real-life husband Danny DeVito, the beauty and bingo-obsessed matriarch was pretty neglectful.

— Huntley Woods, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of neglectful

Adjective

Researchers developed the flexible material from cotton pulp cellulose, turning an abundant renewable material into an electrically conductive hydrogel.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 18 Aug. 2026
Abu Dhabi is not the Gulf’s biggest energy exporter, but ADNOC has emerged as one of its most flexible — thanks to geography, defense capabilities, and a willingness to take risks.

— Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of flexible

Adjective

Officials had to reset Buffalo’s play clock in the first quarter so umpire Tab Slaughter could smash down loose soil in the backfield.

— Tim Graham, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
In the 62nd minute, Miami goalkeeper Rocco Rios-Novo misread a goal kick from Schwake and fell over, which allowed Mukhtar to gain control of the loose ball and extend Nashville's lead to 4-1.

— CBS News, CBS News, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of loose

Adjective

New York — A $15 million aquatic center with a six-lane pool, waterslides and a lazy river opened in Quincy, Washington, a few weeks ago.

— Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2026
Mark Garcia, of Irvine, who won second place in the amateur category, found a mother harbor seal with her pup on a lazy afternoon at Treasure Island Beach.

— Erika I. Ritchie, Oc Register, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of lazy

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lawyers

lax

laxity

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“Lax.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lax. Accessed 19 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of lax

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