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
What is as yet unclear is whether Iran’s delivery of ballistic missiles that can be fired from within Russia against targets in Ukraine will persuade the United States and European allies to relax the restrictions on the Ukrainians’ use of their missiles on more targets in Russia.
—
Tim Lister, CNN, 11 Sep. 2024
Intentional Structure: Break down your day by create a routine that balances times of the day for the following type of activities: planning, deep work, 2-minute tasks, meetings, breaks and relax/exercise.
—Luciana Paulise, Forbes, 10 Sep. 2024
In the picture, Ace could be seen relaxing on a couch, leaning back with his hands behind his head.
—Hannah Sacks, Peoplemag, 10 Sep. 2024
And yet Boot sees a redeeming quality as well: Reagan could relax his ideology.
—Daniel Immerwahr, The New Yorker, 9 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for relax 
Tim Lister, CNN, 11 Sep. 2024
Intentional Structure: Break down your day by create a routine that balances times of the day for the following type of activities: planning, deep work, 2-minute tasks, meetings, breaks and relax/exercise.
—Luciana Paulise, Forbes, 10 Sep. 2024
In the picture, Ace could be seen relaxing on a couch, leaning back with his hands behind his head.
—Hannah Sacks, Peoplemag, 10 Sep. 2024
And yet Boot sees a redeeming quality as well: Reagan could relax his ideology.
—Daniel Immerwahr, The New Yorker, 9 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for relax
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 17 Sep. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share