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 These dynamic conditions allowed the copper atoms to relax and shift, which helped the material retain structural order past the superheating limit. — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 15 Aug. 2026 Summer might be synonymous with beach trips and sandy feet, but as anyone who prefers fresh water will tell you, a lake getaway can be just as relaxing. — Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 15 Aug. 2026 Organizers plan on expanding the festival footprint to accommodate larger crowds, adding more indoor venues for author sessions, increasing food and water options and creating additional gathering spaces where visitors can relax between events. — Maya Santiago, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Aug. 2026 Magnesium found in bananas can help relax muscles and may improve your sleep quality. — Carley Millhone, HEALTH, 14 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for relax

Recent Examples of Synonyms for relax

Verb

Add vanilla if desired, mix well and chill for one hour before serving in chilled parfait cups.

— Philip Potempa, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2026
Then there's support for the optional Polar Cooler, which routes chilled air toward the extruder and filament path to reduce heat creep during hotter chamber operation—further reinforcing the Max 4’s focus on sustained high-temperature printing.

— Michael Lydick, PC Magazine, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of chill

Verb

New chairman Kevin Warsh has suggested tightening at the long end of the yield curve—the very thing Bessent is now trying to loosen—helps the Fed read market signals.

— Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 21 Aug. 2026
So will a flood of 401(k) money, thanks to loosening rules about what investments belong in Americans’ retirement accounts.

— Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of loosen

Verb

What went down Dickens shared a video of himself surprising the Nature Gurlz, a beloved group of women who meet up weekday mornings to bask in the great outdoors.

— AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 20 Aug. 2026
The new owners can bask in the aura of the Lakers’ storied history, celebrity fans, and overall glitz.

— Jason Ma, Fortune, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of bask

Verb

When market rents begin moving, an owner running an 11% concession discount has to unwind that discount before a single dollar of the recovery reaches effective rent.

— Tony Julianelle, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
And after an active day at the resort, guests can unwind at the expansive Kohler Waters Spa before retiring to The American Club, the resort’s premier five-star hotel.

— Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of unwind

Verb

Last year, the park said the plane now rests at shallower depths that do not require technical dive expertise.

— Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
The remains were supposed to be cremated, returned to the donor's family or laid to rest in a cemetery, according to court documents.

— Saleen Martin, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of rest

Verb

That’s all — a quick jaunt from Point A to Point B, a chance to catch up and decompress after a hectic semester.

— David Fear, Rolling Stone, 21 Aug. 2026
Evans said Collinson’s research indicates that the ability to rest and decompress at the beginning of a journey can influence the enjoyment that follows.

— Jeff Fromm, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of decompress

Verb

As the summer winds down, there’s less daylight, fewer opportunities to enjoy that outdoor barbecue or visit the local beach and the back-to-school blues may begin to creep in.

— John Kell, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
Best Nightlife Apart from live entertainment at Chinook Winds Casino Resort and a handful of open-late watering holes, things usually wind down early here.

— Zoe Baillargeon, Travel + Leisure, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of wind down

Browse Nearby Words

relaunching

relax

relaxant

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Style

“Relax.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/relax. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of relax

verb

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