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View synonyms for

relax

[ ri-laks ]

verb (used with object)

  1. to make less tense, rigid, or firm; make lax:

    to relax the muscles.

    Synonyms: ,

    Antonyms: ,

  2. to diminish the force of.

    Synonyms: , , ,

  3. to slacken or abate, as effort, attention, etc.
  4. to make less strict or severe, as rules, discipline, etc.:

    to relax the requirements for a license.

    Synonyms:

  5. to release or bring relief from the effects of tension, anxiety, etc.:

    A short swim always relaxes me.



verb (used without object)

  1. to become less tense, rigid, or firm.

    Synonyms: , ,

    Antonyms: ,

  2. to become less strict or severe; grow milder.

    Synonyms: ,

  3. to reduce or stop work, effort, application, etc., especially for the sake of rest or recreation.
  4. to release oneself from inhibition, worry, tension, etc.

relax

/ rɪˈlæks; rɪˈlæksɪdlɪ /

verb

  1. to make (muscles, a grip, etc) less tense or rigid or (of muscles, a grip, etc) to become looser or less rigid
  2. intr to take rest or recreation, as from work or effort

    she relaxes by playing golf

    on Sundays, she just relaxes

  3. to lessen the force of (effort, concentration, etc) or (of effort) to become diminished
  4. to make (rules or discipline) less rigid or strict or (of rules, etc) to diminish in severity
  5. intr (of a person) to become less formal; unbend
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • ˈ, adjective
  • ˈ油, adjective
  • relaxedly, adverb
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Other Word Forms

  • ·a·پ ···ٴǰ [ri-, lak, -s, uh, -tawr-ee, -tohr-ee], adjective
  • ·İ noun
  • v·· verb
  • ܲr·iԲ adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of relax1

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English relaxen, from Latin “to stretch out again, loosen,” equivalent to re- re- ( def ) + “to loosen,” derivative of laxus “loose, spacious, wide,” lax 1( def )
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Word History and Origins

Origin of relax1

C15: from Latin to loosen, from re- + to loosen, from laxus loose, lax
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Away from football in the Netherlands, Slot used to relax by playing golf with Westerveld, but since moving to Liverpool he keeps fit playing racquet sport padel with his backroom staff at the training ground.

From

The normally bustling border crossing of Kasumulu remained noticeably quieter than usual with drivers seen relaxing in the shade of trees, while others played draughts or lounged in the back of their lorries.

From

Two plain-clothed police officers acknowledged that the neighbourhood was much busier than usual, but that it "felt like a Saturday," and that people had been very relaxed.

From

"Obviously it would have been nicer to have been somewhere stable and to have been able to properly relax… but we weren't in that position", she told the jury.

From

He would be very relaxed, like: 'Yeah, OK, no worries.'

From

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