1
as in careless
failing to give proper care and attention
lax parents who let their kids stay out as late as they want
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in relaxed
not bound by rigid standards
the guidelines for the essay contest were fairly lax, permitting a wide variety of topics
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in loosened
not tightly fastened, tied, or stretched
the sheet on the foresail was lax, and so the sail was flapping wildly in the stiff wind
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of lax
That sense of calm was disrupted during the pandemic by an influx of wealthy New Yorkers and West Coasters drawn to Florida’s lax COVID restrictions and lower taxes.
—
Beth Landman, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Jan. 2025
There was no shying away from this from European officials, nor a desire too—there was a universal acceptance, privately and publicly, that the continent has been lamentably lax.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 16 Feb. 2025
But enforcement against the resellers who use them has been lax.
—Whizy Kim, Vox, 12 Feb. 2025
The accusation of prior lax utility regulation drew a sharp rebuttal from Arthur House, another influential Connecticut Democrat who serve as chairman of the Public Utility Regulatory Authority under former Democratic Governor Dannel Malloy.
—Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 9 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lax
Beth Landman, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Jan. 2025
There was no shying away from this from European officials, nor a desire too—there was a universal acceptance, privately and publicly, that the continent has been lamentably lax.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 16 Feb. 2025
But enforcement against the resellers who use them has been lax.
—Whizy Kim, Vox, 12 Feb. 2025
The accusation of prior lax utility regulation drew a sharp rebuttal from Arthur House, another influential Connecticut Democrat who serve as chairman of the Public Utility Regulatory Authority under former Democratic Governor Dannel Malloy.
—Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 9 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lax
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lax
Adjective
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She was charged with a DUI and DWI, negligently driving a vehicle in a careless and imprudent manner, endangering property, life, and person, as well as recklessly driving a vehicle in wanton and willful disregard for the safety of persons and property.—
DeMicia Inman,
VIBE.com,
28 Feb. 2025
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On March 19, 2024, Huger was charged with a DUI and DWI on the counts of: negligently driving a vehicle in a careless and imprudent manner, endangering property, life, and person, as well as recklessly driving a vehicle in wanton and willful disregard for the safety of persons and property.—
Gabriela Silva,
TVLine,
26 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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As for bags, the Script logo shopper was made in an even lighter, more relaxed shopping bag in an allover calfskin leather, suede or pony skin, while the Flap Bag reinterpreted a classic camera bag in smooth calfskin leather.—
Stephen Garner,
WWD,
3 Mar. 2025
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When cruising at more relaxed speeds, the car soaked up the decidedly rough road surfaces extremely well for a car with such petite dimensions.—
Tim Stevens,
Ars Technica,
3 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Two pit bulls were rescued from their allegedly neglectful owner and her uninhabitable home on Wednesday, Feb. 19, according to a Sunday, Feb. 23 Suffolk County SPCA news release.—
Charna Flam,
People.com,
25 Feb. 2025
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These dream-memories throw us directly into the action with scenes involving mobsters, a neglectful father, and an explosion—all before skipping back to unrelated conversations in modern day.—
Eliana Dockterman,
TIME,
23 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Both are made from a water- and rip-resistant material that’s flexible.—
Rylee Johnston,
Travel + Leisure,
1 Mar. 2025
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This test involves inserting a long, flexible tube called an endoscope down your throat to see your esophagus and stomach.—
Lindsay Curtis,
Health,
1 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Her hair was styled in loose waves with bobby pins, holding it back from her face.—
Kayla Grant,
People.com,
7 Mar. 2025
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As the pig slowly roasts in an imu pit and the partygoers cut loose, the celebration boils over when Ryan uncovers the missing memory of when his life took a tragic turn.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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There is also a great bar hidden along the hotel’s lazy river pool, which is a big hit with kids, but adults will love the bar.—
Larry Olmsted,
Forbes,
27 Feb. 2025
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Many people assume that kids in Passenger Mode are lazy.—
Jenny Anderson,
The Atlantic,
26 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The first half was sloppy for both teams as the two totaled nine turnovers each.—
Nathan Canilao,
The Mercury News,
1 Mar. 2025
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The complaint filed by five labor unions and five nonprofit organizations is among multiple lawsuits pushing back on the administration's efforts to vastly shrink the federal workforce, which Trump has called bloated and sloppy.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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If the rules are too slack, people take advantage of them.—
Dave Altimari,
Hartford Courant,
8 Jan. 2025
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Fernandes has no right to seize upon a slack backpass and lob Kelleher from about 40 yards out.—
Carl Anka,
The Athletic,
7 Apr. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Lax.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lax. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
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