as in soothing
tending to calm the emotions and relieve stress
a relaxing cup of chamomile tea
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in chilling
to get rid of nervous tension or anxiety
she took deep breaths to relax before going on stage
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in loosening
to make less taut
relax the rope a bit so I can pick up the slack and tie this knot
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in resting
to refrain from labor or exertion
I just want to kick back and relax after mowing that huge lawn
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of relaxing
Midwest Living, 5 Jan. 2026
From navigation and communication to refrigeration and remote work, losing power on the road can quickly turn a relaxing trip into a stressful situation.
—Ascend Agency, New York Daily News, 5 Jan. 2026
Standing in the backyard and watching fireflies in the summertime is very relaxing.
—Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 3 Jan. 2026
The Spa The Spa at Albert Hotel is a relaxing and laid-back retreat, with a relaxation room, fitted with plush couches and stocked with tasty granola bars from The Pharmacy.
—Taylor McIntyre, Travel + Leisure, 31 Dec. 2025
Accent the light-toned items with pillows and blankets in shades of blue to truly capture the relaxing, seaside vibe.
—Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 31 Dec. 2025
Its distinctive but simple form fits neatly in the truck and gives buyers a transformable interior for sleeping, eating and relaxing.
—New Atlas, 30 Dec. 2025
Healthy sleep habits, such as keeping a regular schedule, minimizing evening screen time, and following a relaxing bedtime routine, are the key to better sleep.
—Mira Miller, Verywell Health, 26 Dec. 2025
Being surrounded by stuff can make a long soak a little less relaxing.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 26 Dec. 2025
Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 7 Jan. 2026
That must include a lounge set that’s comfy enough for relaxing on the couch but has a polished design that looks put-together when worn out of the house.
—Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 7 Jan. 2026
Visitors enjoy fishing, water sports, sailing, or just relaxing on the sandy shores.
—Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 7 Jan. 2026
License to Train Woven Mid-Rise Jogger Celebrities from Oprah to Gwyneth Paltrow and Hailey Bieber have been spotted in track pants recently, and this jogger-style pair is perfect for grabbing coffee with a friend, trying a new yoga class, and relaxing by the fire with a warm cup of tea.
—Emma Greene, InStyle, 6 Jan. 2026
Choose soft, warm lighting for a relaxing ambiance.
—Kristin Hohenadel, The Spruce, 5 Jan. 2026
Creating a relaxing sleep environment is one of the most effective ways to support healthy sleep and preserve cognitive function.
—Jennifer Klump, Verywell Health, 11 Nov. 2025
The images, never meant for public view, showed officers eating fruit, decorating Christmas trees, singing, relaxing with their dogs.
—Miguel Sirgado, Miami Herald, 11 Nov. 2025
Take a warm shower and engage in relaxing activities before bed, such as reading.
—Olivia Lee, Charlotte Observer, 10 Nov. 2025
Adjective
Try these for winter gatherings, special celebrations, or simply a relaxing break from the cold.
—Verb
Style your living room with new throw pillow covers and blankets, design a relaxing bedroom with natural cotton sheets, set the table with stoneware plates, or make your kitchen even more functional with premium baking dishes and wooden utensils.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for relaxing
Adjective
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These are the bad bathroom layouts keeping your space from feeling like a sanctuary, and designers are sharing how to switch things up for a much more soothing space.—
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Warm, soothing, and comforting – chicken soup is really good for the soul.—
Verb
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Astringent Hachiya persimmons must fully soften at room temperature before eating because chilling too early locks in bitterness.—
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Adding a splash of ice water and chilling the dough helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much in the oven, resulting in the perfect texture.—
Verb
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They’re made from Lee’s stretchy denim blend that’s designed to move with you without loosening throughout the day.—
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And in November, OpenAI signed its first cloud contract with Amazon Web Services, further loosening Microsoft's once exclusive grip.—
Verb
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Working group member and LJCPA trustee Patrick Ahern said the space would be used more for resting or a place to talk rather than recreation.—
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After a moment, with the puck resting behind Hellebuyck and just in front of the goal line, Smith poked it across for his sixth goal of the season.—
Verb
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Bright and spellbinding, glittering and dangerous, London Falling scratches every itch while unwinding this morbid mystery.—
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Dish seeks unspecified damages and a court order unwinding Disney’s acquisition of Fubo and the ESPN-Fox One bundle.—
Verb
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Hosts Forest, meanwhile, were still basking in the glow of winning the European Cup (today’s Champions League) in back-to-back seasons, via beating Malmo of Sweden in 1979 and Germany’s Hamburg a year later.—
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Solo time was also enjoyed by the Meaningful Beauty co-founder, who can be seen wearing nothing but a towel and basking in the sunshine in one of the images.—
Adjective
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Whether for the potluck, the cookout, or a Wednesday night dinner with your family, these Southern side dishes are comforting, easy, and crowd-pleasing.—
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In those cases, soft lighting, quiet music, or a comforting scent can make the space feel safer.—
Verb
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The shorter the line, the less likely there will be a melt down (and melt downs mean having to spend precious time decompressing someplace quiet, or possibly having to end the entire excursion early and going back to the hotel).—
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Spend today decompressing from last night’s festivities.—
Cite this Entry
“Relaxing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/relaxing. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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