re
lax
Third Person
relaxes
Present Participle
relaxing
Past Tense
relaxed
Past Participle
relaxed
1
to feel less worried or stressed
- After a long day at work, I like to relax with a good book.
- He likes to relax in the garden during the evenings.
- On Sundays, I usually relax and do nothing.
- She went to the spa to relax and get a massage.
- He tried to relax by listening to calming music.
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2
to loosen or reduce curl or wave pattern in the hair for a straighter or smoother look, often using heat styling tools or techniques
transitive
- She relaxed her hair with a straightener to achieve a sleek look.
- The stylist used a special cream to relax her curls, making them more manageable.
- He relaxed his hair before the event, hoping for a polished, professional style.
- The treatment helped relax the waves in her hair, leaving it soft and straight.
- She prefers to relax her hair with a blow-dryer, reducing the volume of curls.
3
to make a limb or muscle become less tense or stiff
transitive
- After a long day of work, she used a warm compress to relax her tense shoulders.
- The yoga routine helped relax his muscles and improve his flexibility.
- A gentle massage can relax the muscles in your back, relieving tension.
- The hot bath helped relax his sore legs after the run.
- He took a moment to stretch and relax his arms before continuing his workout.
Synonyms:
4
to loosen or reduce the tightness or firmness of something
transitive
- He relaxed the straps on his backpack to make it more comfortable.
- She relaxed the knot in the ribbon, giving the package a more casual look.
- The warm water helped relax the tight coils of the metal wire.
- The tailor relaxed the seams of the jacket to make it more comfortable.
- He relaxed the grip on the tool, making it easier to handle.
Antonyms:
5
to reduce or eliminate the tension or pressure from something
transitive
- She took a few deep breaths to relax her mind and relieve stress before the meeting.
- The soft music in the background helped relax the atmosphere in the room.
- Meditation is a great way to relax your thoughts and relieve mental stress.
- The gentle stretches helped relax her body after a stressful day.
- A cup of tea helped relax her nerves before the presentation.
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6
to reduce the intensity or speed of an activity or process
transitive
- The coach told the runners to relax their pace after the intense sprint.
- He decided to relax his schedule to reduce stress and have more free time.
- The doctor advised her to relax her exercise routine while recovering.
- She tried to relax her breathing to calm down before the presentation.
7
(of a rule, restriction, or policy) to become less strict or more flexible over time
- As the situation improved, the curfew began to relax in many areas.
- The school's policy started to relax as students showed better behavior.
- The city’s regulations on outdoor dining have relaxed to support local restaurants.
- As the economy recovered, financial regulations began to relax to encourage investment.
- Over the years, the restrictions on imports have slowly relaxed, benefiting trade.
Synonyms:
8
to ease or reduce the severity of a rule, restriction, or policy
transitive
- The government decided to relax travel restrictions for international tourists.
- After reviewing the situation, the company relaxed its dress code policy.
- The school administration chose to relax the rules on late homework submissions.
- The city council voted to relax curfew hours during the summer.
- The restaurant relaxed its reservation policy, allowing walk-ins during busy hours.
Synonyms:
9
to become less rigid, serious, or formal
- After a few drinks, he began to relax and join in the conversation.
- She usually keeps a professional tone at work but relaxes with her friends on weekends.
- Once the meeting was over, everyone relaxed and began chatting informally.
- She relaxed as the day went on, shedding her formal demeanor.
- The casual dinner helped the new team member relax and feel more at home.
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