relaxed; relaxing; relaxes
1
: to make less tense or rigid : slacken
relaxed his grip
2
: to make less severe or stringent : modify
relax immigration laws
3
: to deprive of energy, zeal, or strength of purpose
4
: to relieve from nervous tension
5
: to treat (hair) chemically in order to relax curls
1
: to become lax, weak, or loose : rest
2
: to become less intense or severe
hoped the committee would relax in its opposition
3
of a muscle or muscle fiber
: to become inactive and lengthen
4
: to cast off social restraint, nervous tension, or anxiety
couldn't relax in crowds
5
: to seek rest or recreation
relax at the seashore
6
: to relieve constipation
7
: to attain equilibrium following the abrupt removal of some influence (such as light, high temperature, or stress)
Synonyms
Examples of relax in a Sentence
The muscles in my neck and shoulders should relax after a nice hot shower.
A hot shower relaxed the tight muscles in my neck and shoulders.
I can't relax with all this noise!
Just relax, there's nothing to worry about.
Try to relax and enjoy the ride.
Recent Examples on the Web
Formulated with grapeseed and avocado oil, this bath bomb nourishes the skin, relaxes the body, and rejuvenates the senses before the big day.
—
Jessie Quinn, Peoplemag, 19 Apr. 2024
The health insurer relaxed, or removed, prior authorization processes for some claims following the hack, stoking concerns of an increase in medical costs.
—Reuters, NBC News, 17 Apr. 2024
The muscles temporarily relax, reducing the appearance of wrinkles.
—Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 16 Apr. 2024
Other states including Michigan, Missouri and New York relaxed some pricing requirements at the insistence of groups including USTelecom, which represents AT&T and Verizon.
—Tony Romm, Washington Post, 15 Apr. 2024
The evening had been a strain for the wife, but the husband had been relaxed in a way the wife hadn’t seen him before, drinking more than usual—though not excessively, for the husband did nothing in excess.
—Joyce Carol Oates, The New Yorker, 15 Apr. 2024
Being underwater relaxes the muscles and increases the joint range of motion.
—Kathleen Wong, USA TODAY, 14 Apr. 2024
When your adventures are done for they day, relax on the large helipad, sway in a hammock and take in the beautiful uninterrupted sunsets.
—Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 13 Apr. 2024
For example, relaxing by the two heated pools is accompanied by ABV-free frozen drinks, chilled towels, cold bottled water, and fresh fruit.
—Katherine Alex Beaven, Travel + Leisure, 11 Apr. 2024
Jessie Quinn, Peoplemag, 19 Apr. 2024
The health insurer relaxed, or removed, prior authorization processes for some claims following the hack, stoking concerns of an increase in medical costs.
—Reuters, NBC News, 17 Apr. 2024
The muscles temporarily relax, reducing the appearance of wrinkles.
—Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 16 Apr. 2024
Other states including Michigan, Missouri and New York relaxed some pricing requirements at the insistence of groups including USTelecom, which represents AT&T and Verizon.
—Tony Romm, Washington Post, 15 Apr. 2024
The evening had been a strain for the wife, but the husband had been relaxed in a way the wife hadn’t seen him before, drinking more than usual—though not excessively, for the husband did nothing in excess.
—Joyce Carol Oates, The New Yorker, 15 Apr. 2024
Being underwater relaxes the muscles and increases the joint range of motion.
—Kathleen Wong, USA TODAY, 14 Apr. 2024
When your adventures are done for they day, relax on the large helipad, sway in a hammock and take in the beautiful uninterrupted sunsets.
—Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 13 Apr. 2024
For example, relaxing by the two heated pools is accompanied by ABV-free frozen drinks, chilled towels, cold bottled water, and fresh fruit.
—Katherine Alex Beaven, Travel + Leisure, 11 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'relax.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near relax
Cite this Entry
“Relax.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/relax. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
relax
verb
re·lax
ri-ˈlaks 
1
: to make or become loose or less tense
relaxed my attention
2
: to make or become less severe or strict
relax discipline
3
: to get rid of nervous tension or anxiety
couldn't relax in crowds
4
: to rest or enjoy oneself away from one's usual duties
relaxed at the beach
relaxer
noun
Medical Definition
relax
transitive verb
re·lax
ri-ˈlaks
1
: to slacken or make less tense or rigid
alternately contracting and relaxing their muscles
2
: to relieve from nervous tension
3
: to relieve from constipation
medications to relax the bowels
1
of a muscle or muscle fiber
: to return to an inactive or resting state
especially
: to become inactive and lengthen
2
: to cast off social restraint, nervous tension, or anxiety
couldn't relax in crowds
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