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Glite Dictionary
😌 To rest 🦵 To loosen 📜 To make easier
to relax

to relax

∞ 1.0
To feel less nervous and more calm
  • verb
  • /rɪˈlæks/
translation icon : relajarse
  • I breathe deeply, relax fully, and sleep soundly.
  • relax and enjoy
  • just relax
  • help relax

But the moment you relax, you're off guard.

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Examples

  • So sit back, relax, and enjoy the View.

  • Sit back, relax and watch my show.

  • No, you guys hang out, you know, relax in bed, watch TV.

  • All right, back to the room to relax and work on the book.

  • Feeling so good to just relax, to just let go.

  • You should learn to relax a bit more.

    Werewolf Cabal (2022)

  • Because college students are typically busy, finding time and a way to relax is essential.

    Academic text (2015)

  • You have got to relax, you have got to be confident.

    Inside of You with Michael Rosenbaum

  • Here's a nap pod so you can relax during work time.

  • After a long week at work, I like to relax on the weekends by reading a book.

Synonyms

to calm
vsto relax
962 1.0

Make a person or animal less upset

is broader and includes resting and avoiding effort to reduce tension
to rest
vsto relax
816 1.0

To stop activity to relax or sleep and get energy back

also covers reducing anxiety and becoming mentally less tense
to slow down
vsto relax
687 1.4

To move or act more slowly

often focuses on pace reduction rather than directly lowering anxiety
to calm down
vsto relax
  • Informal
594 1.4

To become less angry, excited, or upset

is broader covering general reduction of stress and restful recovery
to take it easy
vsto relax
  • Informal
572 2.5

Relax and avoid doing too much or worrying

is mainly about reducing effort and activity rather than mental tension
to settle
vsto relax
540 2.8

To become calm and still after movement or excitement

is more about reaching stability rather than intentionally reducing stress
to ease
vsto relax
305 2.1

To make something less painful or difficult

is specifically about personal tension and also includes taking time off
to chill
vsto relax
  • Informal
223 4.0

To relax and do very little

is broader and also covers active rest and formal settings
to take a deep breath
vsto relax
103 2.7

Pull air slowly into your lungs to calm yourself

is a single action that helps briefly rather than sustained tension reduction
to chill out
vsto relax
  • Informal
99 4.9

To relax and become calm after you feel upset

is more general and applies beyond brief emotional recovery
to soothe
vsto relax
63 3.4

To make someone feel calmer or reduce their pain

focuses on reducing distress or pain rather than general rest
to ease up
vsto relax
57 3.7

To make something less strong or strict

usually refers to external pressure easing rather than internal tension relief
to settle down
vsto relax
56 2.5

To become quiet and calm after being excited

suggests recovery from agitation rather than active stress relief methods
to cool it
vsto relax
  • Informal
55 6.2

To calm down and stop being angry or excited

is more general and can include gentle rest as well as calming
to unwind
vsto relax
35 3.4

Become relaxed and less tense after work or a stressful time

often emphasizes gradual easing after activity rather than immediate change
to loosen up
vsto relax
  • Informal
31 3.4

To relax and become less nervous or tense

is often broader, covering lasting rest as well as quick easing
to make yourself comfortable
vsto relax
31 3.1

Sit down and relax as if you are at home

focuses on changing surroundings to reduce tension not only internal easing
to breathe
vsto relax
  • Informal
25 2.6

To take a short break to rest

is broader and also covers longer rest and full recovery
to cool down
vsto relax
  • Informal
19 2.5

Feel less angry or excited

often implies lowering strong feelings quickly rather than long rest
to rest easy
vsto relax
  • Informal
16 4.2

Feel calm and not worried after someone reassures you

focuses on temporary relief of worry, not necessarily physical resting
to take a breather
vsto relax
  • Informal
14 3.5

To stop and rest for a short time

is broader and includes general easing of tension beyond brief breaks
to decompress
vsto relax
  • Informal
11 4.2

Relax and become less tense after work or stress

is more general and applies beyond postwork recovery
to mellow out
vsto relax
  • Informal
10 6.3

Become more relaxed and easygoing

emphasizes a slower personality change rather than immediate rest
to relieve stress
vsto relax
5 3.5

To make you feel less tense or worried

covers both stress reduction and also resting to recover energy
to breathe easy
vsto relax
  • Informal
5 3.4

To feel relaxed and relieved after a worrying time

is a broader action including stopping activity and taking longer rest
to chillax
vsto relax
  • Slang
2 8.6

Calm down and relax after feeling stressed or excited

is the standard term, not an informal blend of words
to unbend
vsto relax
1 5.6

Relax and become less tense or formal

applies to physical rest as well, not only mental or social easing
to unstrain
vsto relax
7.8

To make muscles or nerves feel less tight after stress

also includes resting and taking it easy beyond mere tension release
to unstress
vsto relax
4.8

Make someone feel less worried or tense

is broader and includes physical rest and low activity
to unlax
vsto relax
  • Archaic
9.9

To make the body or mind less tense

is more general and also includes gentle rest not just loosening
to unpucker
vsto relax
  • Informal
7.6

Make a tense person or situation feel more relaxed

is wider and used for individual internal tension too, not only social
to lighten tensions
vsto relax
4.1

Make a tense situation calmer

is used for individuals as well as situations, not only group tension

Antonyms

to stress
286 2.7

To feel pressure and worry because of difficult situations

to tense
9 4.0

To make the body or muscles tight and unable to relax

Phrasal Verbs

to veg and relax
  • Informal
7.5

To rest and do nothing to recover from stress or tiredness

How Relaxed

to decompress
  • Informal
11 4.2
to relax
∞ 1.0
to unwind
35 3.4
to calm down
  • Informal
594 1.4

Surface Forms

relax infinitive
relaxed past
relaxed past participle
relaxing present participle
relaxes third person singular

Etymology

Relax comes from Latin parts re- and lax where lax means 'loose', so it originally meant 'loosen again'. Think of breathing out and letting your body or mind become loose — that's why to relax is to feel less tense or worried.