Relax — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb /ri-ˈlaks/ re·lax

Meaning & Definition of Relax

Relax (verb)

  1. to make less tense or rigid, slacken
  2. to make less severe or stringent, modify
  3. to deprive of energy, zeal, or strength of purpose

Relax (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to get rid of nervous tension or anxiety

    "she took deep breaths to relax before going on stage"

    similar: chill, chill out (slang), decompress, de-stress, loosen up, mellow (out), unwind, wind down, hang loose
    related: unbend, bask, kick back, loll, lounge, repose, rest, bum, dally, dawdle, dillydally, drone, footle, goof (off), hack (around), hang (around or out), idle, laze, loaf, vegetate, veg out, zone out, alleviate, comfort, ease, relieve, calm, compose, cool, quiet, settle
    opposite: tense (up)

  2. to make less taut

    "relax the rope a bit so I can pick up the slack and tie this knot"

    similar: ease, loosen, slack, slacken
    related: detach, free, unbind, undo, unfasten, untie
    opposite: strain, stretch, tense, tension, tighten
    near: attach, bind, fasten, tie, constrain, restrain

  3. to refrain from labor or exertion

    "I just want to kick back and relax after mowing that huge lawn"

    similar: bask, kick back, loll, lounge, repose, rest
    related: bum, goldbrick, hang, hang about (British), hang around, idle, loaf, slack (off), veg out
    near: drudge, grub, hump, hustle, labor, moil, peg (away), plod, plow, plug, slave, slog, strain, strive, struggle, sweat, toil, travail, work, exercise, work out

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Relax

The most common words with a similar meaning to Relax:

Slang: chill out
chill, decompress, de-stress, loosen up, mellow (out), unwind, wind down, ease, loosen, slack, slacken, bask, kick back, loll, lounge, repose, rest, hang loose

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Relax

Words with the opposite meaning of Relax:

tense (up), strain, stretch, tense, tension, tighten

Related Words for Relax

unbend, bum, dally, dawdle, dillydally, drone, footle, goof (off), hack (around), hang (around or out), idle, laze, loaf, vegetate, veg out, zone out, alleviate, comfort, relieve, calm, compose, cool, quiet, settle, detach, free, unbind, undo, unfasten, untie

Near Antonyms of Relax

attach, bind, fasten, tie, constrain, restrain, drudge, grub, hump, hustle, labor, moil, peg (away), plod, plow, plug, slave, slog, strive, struggle, sweat, toil, travail, work, exercise, work out

Word Forms of Relax

Inflections: relaxed, relaxing, relaxes

Origin & Etymology of Relax

Middle English, from Latin relaxare, from re- + laxare to loosen, from laxus loose slack

First known use: 15th centuryt

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Relax

Frequently Asked Questions about Relax

What does "Relax" mean?

"Relax" means to make less tense or rigid, slacken. As a verb, it is defined as: to make less tense or rigid, slacken. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Relax"?

Other words for "Relax" include chill, chill out, decompress, de-stress, loosen up, mellow (out), unwind and wind down. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Relax" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Relax"?

There are 54 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Relax". Common alternatives include chill, chill out, decompress, de-stress, loosen up, mellow (out), unwind, wind down, ease and loosen.

What is the opposite of "Relax"?

Antonyms of "Relax" include tense (up), strain, stretch, tense, tension and tighten. Near antonyms include attach, bind, fasten and tie.

How do you use "Relax" in a sentence?

Examples of "Relax" in a sentence: "she took deep breaths to relax before going on stage"; "relax the rope a bit so I can pick up the slack and tie this knot"; "I just want to kick back and relax after mowing that huge lawn".

Is "Relax" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Relax" is a verb.

Is "Relax" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B1-level word, "Relax" is typical of Cambridge B1 Preliminary (PET), IELTS band 4.0–5.0, TOEFL iBT 42–71, PTE Academic 43–58, TOEIC Listening & Reading 550+.

How do you pronounce "Relax"?

"Relax" is pronounced /ri-ˈlaks/ and divided into syllables as re·lax.