relax meaning and definition

RELAX verb

Definition of relax (verb)

1. become less tense, rest, or take one's ease
   • "He relaxed in the hot tub"; "Let's all relax after a hard day's work"
   • synonyms: decompress, loosen up, slow down, unbend, unwind
   • antonym: tense
2. make less taut
   • "relax the tension on the rope"
   • synonyms: unbend
3. become loose or looser or less tight
   • "The noose loosened"; "the rope relaxed"
   • synonyms: loose, loosen
   • antonym: stiffen
4. cause to feel relaxed
   • "A hot bath always relaxes me"
   • synonyms: loosen up, make relaxed, unlax, unstrain, unwind
   • antonym: strain
5. become less tense, less formal, or less restrained, and assume a friendlier manner
   • "our new colleague relaxed when he saw that we were a friendly group"
   • synonyms: loosen up
6. make less severe or strict
   • "The government relaxed the curfew after most of the rebels were caught"
   • synonyms: loosen
7. become less severe or strict
   • "The rules relaxed after the new director arrived"
   • synonyms: loosen
8. make less active or fast
   • "He slackened his pace as he got tired"; "Don't relax your efforts now"
   • synonyms: slack, slack up, slacken