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)
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
Patients can also learn to perform self-trigger point release at home using their own fingers, a partner, a pelvic wand or vaginal dilators to help relax the internal muscles.
—
Julianna Bragg, CNN, 22 Mar. 2025
The slow ride across is relaxing and often yields dolphin sightings.
—Jennifer Stewart Kornegay, Southern Living, 22 Mar. 2025
Magnesium supplements: Can help relax muscles but may cause diarrhea or stomach upset.
—Christopher Bergland, Verywell Health, 21 Mar. 2025
As the patient relaxes and breathes, the lungs — and therefore, the body’s tissues — receive up to three times the normal amount of oxygen.
—Vanessa Etienne, People.com, 19 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for relax
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Julianna Bragg, CNN, 22 Mar. 2025
The slow ride across is relaxing and often yields dolphin sightings.
—Jennifer Stewart Kornegay, Southern Living, 22 Mar. 2025
Magnesium supplements: Can help relax muscles but may cause diarrhea or stomach upset.
—Christopher Bergland, Verywell Health, 21 Mar. 2025
As the patient relaxes and breathes, the lungs — and therefore, the body’s tissues — receive up to three times the normal amount of oxygen.
—Vanessa Etienne, People.com, 19 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for relax
Cite this Entry
“Relax.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/relax. Accessed 29 Mar. 2025.
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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