relaxation

noun

ˌrē-ˌlak-ˈsā-shən How to pronounce relaxation (audio)
Definition of relaxationnext
1
as in recreation
activity engaged in to amuse oneself what do people in this jerkwater town do for relaxation?

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in rest
freedom from activity or labor meditating in a state of total relaxation

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of relaxation When the leaves start to turn, though, the town offers a perfect blend of relaxation and exploration. — Taryn Shorr-McKee, Midwest Living, 26 Aug. 2026 Ordering a drink can mark the start of a night out, signal relaxation or ease self-consciousness around other people. — Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Aug. 2026 Any relaxation that occurs during wear is restored after laundering, ensuring consistent performance and appearance throughout the life of the garment. — Catherine Salfino, Footwear News, 24 Aug. 2026 Mail and Paper Piles Leaving mail and stacks of paper on coffee tables, console tables, and end tables is distracting and causes a conflict between relaxation and productive tasks, which Lee notes are two things that don't go together. — Maria Sabella, The Spruce, 23 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for relaxation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for relaxation
  1. recreation
  2. rest
  3. fun
  4. leisure
  5. entertainment
  6. resting
  7. enjoyment
  8. amusement
Noun
  • Unlike tobacco, a static product with no real defensible qualities outside of recreation, consumer technology is ever evolving, and the lines between harmfully addictive and beneficial to society can be extremely blurry.
    — Jonathan Vanian, CNBC, 30 Aug. 2026
  • The youth center has been a community staple for decades where children and teenagers turned for academic support and recreation.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of recreation
Noun
  • Back at the hotel, the calming interiors encourage proper rest and relaxation.
    — Irenie Forshaw, TheWeek, 4 Sep. 2026
  • In 2019, officials introduced a state-of-the-art recovery room under Arthur Ashe Stadium where players can go during their breaks for treatments and rest.
    — Aaron Short, Curbed, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of rest
Noun
  • And while the giant disco balls might not be for everyone, Musgraves seems to be having plenty of fun with them.
    — Lily Brown, PEOPLE, 3 Sep. 2026
  • The all-day menu at Hurly-Burly is filled with light bites, plus an array of fun drinks for kids and adults.
    — Megan duBois, Southern Living, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of fun
Noun
  • Outside of their life of crime, the first look gives a glimpse at the range of leisure activities available to the player — including shooting basketball, diving in the ocean, weightlifting, jet skiing and dancing at a strip club.
    — Angela Yang, NBC news, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The property’s lower level functions as a leisure and entertainment complex with a plush theater with a concession stand and a virtual-reality racing room.
    — Tori Latham, Robb Report, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of leisure
Noun
  • Until now, backlash has been Hollywood’s default stance on AI, as the industry slumped under pressure from entertainment streaming services and soaring production costs.
    — Jake Angelo, semafor.com, 4 Sep. 2026
  • The scenery is beautiful, though the onboard entertainment leans into classic all-inclusive territory, complete with a digital saxophone performance, audience participation, and the inevitable Macarena throw down.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of entertainment
Noun
  • Their efforts at Greenwood Cemetery, a predominately Black cemetery that serves as the final resting place for more than 800 Black veterans, marked the organization’s 12th year of hosting a community outreach day during its annual convention.
    — Caroline Neal, Louisville Courier Journal, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The main sala, an open pavilion or a shaded resting place, provides unobstructed coastline views.
    — Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of resting
Noun
  • Don’t let the pressure of a specific end goal cloud your enjoyment of the ride.
    — Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 28 Aug. 2026
  • But the combat happens in short spurts, allowing a fair amount of downtime for recuperation, conversation and enjoyment of the sport.
    — Rebecca Leib, Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of enjoyment
Noun
  • In stories centered on objects ranging from a button to a tin soldier, young authors recognize the it-narrative’s potential not only for amusement but for showcasing the power of the small and marginal.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Remmick, Jimmy Crystal and Larry Lamb share an unrelenting desire to entertain, whether performing music outside a juke joint, indulging amusement with graphic violence or delighting the British reading public with scandal and drama.
    — Daniel D'Addario, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of amusement

Browse Nearby Words

relaxant
relaxation
relaxed
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Cite this Entry

“Relaxation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/relaxation. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on relaxation

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about relaxation

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