relaxing 1 of 2

adjective

as in soothing
tending to calm the emotions and relieve stress a relaxing cup of chamomile tea

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

relaxing

2 of 2

verb

present participle of relax
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

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 relaxing
Adjective
Expansive exterior decks and a generous flybridge create space for entertaining, relaxing, or even exercising in the great outdoors. — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 13 Oct. 2026 Tushy Fresh Dual-Nozzle Bidet Offering easy installation, this bidet with a no-frills interface has some relaxing perks (including a heated water option) without too many extra knobs and levers. — Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 8 Oct. 2026 Ocean-facing rooms have hot tubs built into the balconies and few things are more relaxing than watching the neon-pinky swirl of sunset from the tub, through the layer of jungle bush. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026 If your idea of a relaxing fall weekend does not involve joining everybody else in America at the Smokies, Bowron also offered a more under-the-radar option. — Amber Harding Outkick, FOXNews.com, 23 Sep. 2026 In fact, according to a ranking from vape retailer Vape and Go, Tallinn, Estonia, is Europe’s most relaxing metro for travelers in 2026. — Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 23 Sep. 2026 Few things are more relaxing than enjoying the outdoors in a rocking chair (doing that with a side of leaf peeping just puts a cherry on top). — Maggie Horton, PEOPLE, 22 Sep. 2026 What should be a relaxing weekend quickly veers off course as Chuck inserts himself into the group and tests the limits of their patience. — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 18 Sep. 2026 Common Mistakes Deadheading can be a relaxing task, but don’t overdo it. — Samantha Johnson, Martha Stewart, 15 Sep. 2026
Verb
After exploring or relaxing by the pool, head to the freestanding infrared sauna with optional salt halotherapy. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Oct. 2026 The layout is geared toward indoor-outdoor living, with ample space for relaxing and entertaining across four decks. — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 12 Oct. 2026 The older victim was relaxing outside, smoking a cigar, when he was shot, his father, Clarence Gaines, told The News. — Kerry Burke, New York Daily News, 8 Oct. 2026 Maybe going on a walk with one of my girlfriends, relaxing, being outside, swimming in a lake, maybe doing an activity and maybe just going for a really nice dinner. — Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2026 The unique contraption leverages air pressure changes to stretch the neck while relaxing your entire upper body with its three heat settings and stiffness-eliminating, dual-wavelength red light therapy. — Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 6 Oct. 2026 Rather than relaxing on his lead, Becerra should be constantly moving around the state, introducing himself to Californians and — more importantly — listening to their problems and ideas. — Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026 Some studies suggest that L-theanine may increase alpha waves in the brain, which have a calming, relaxing effect and can improve sleep quality. — Emmanuella Ogbonna, HEALTH, 2 Oct. 2026 Most other feeders can send dozens, if not hundreds, of clips to your phone each day, which can be more fatiguing than relaxing to go through. — Jim Fisher, PC Magazine, 27 Sep. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for relaxing
  1. soothing
  2. chilling
  3. loosening
  4. resting
  5. comforting
  6. unwinding
  7. basking
  8. calming
Adjective
  • For sensitive or dry underarms, the deodorant also uses a soothing blend of shea butter, spirulina, and niacinamide to keep pits comfortable all day long.
    — Madison San Miguel, Allure, 7 Oct. 2026
  • On the upside, the villas are one of the more soothing spots for a mild hangover.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of soothing
Verb
  • This is constantly fed by high-velocity air rammed through massive side intakes, directly chilling the cooling fluid.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Let sit at least 10 minutes or cover and chill up to 8 hours (no need to bring to room temperature before cooking if chilling).
    — Shilpa Uskokovic, Bon Appetit Magazine, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of chilling
Verb
  • In the late 1970s, Giorgio Armani stripped the structure out of the traditional suit, softening its shoulders and loosening its trousers.
    — John Vorwald, Robb Report, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Furthermore, loosening these restrictions risks igniting new supply friction.
    — , CNBC, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of loosening
Verb
  • Jockeys maintain it with only a few toes resting on each stirrup.
    — Cameron Peters, Vox, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Some of them sat at tables of four in a common area, reading, working on laptops or resting their heads.
    — Rosie Cima, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of resting
Adjective
  • And there’s something very comforting about going back to those things of our youth that were simpler than things are now — in our personal lives or the world at large.
    — Mike Ryan, IndieWire, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Those were the comforting words Vision privately offered Wanda in Age of Ultron after her brother Pietro died.
    — Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of comforting
Verb
  • At that point, alignment means unwinding decisions and resetting expectations.
    — Simon Wells, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The company has also been deliberate in unwinding its previous reliance on legacy franchises, such as the Dunk and Air Force 1 shoes.
    — Joe Bobowicz, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of unwinding
Verb
  • The San Francisco 49ers were still basking in the glow of an exhilarating road win against division rival Seattle that extended their perfect start to the season when Christian McCaffrey offered a word of caution.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026
  • In the days of former coach Billy Napier, Florida made a habit of basking in the wins.
    — Noah White, Miami Herald, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of basking
Adjective
  • There’s nothing more calming than watching people try to redo their houses into the home of their dreams.
    — Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Warm nutmeg milk Milk delivers tryptophan and calcium, while a pinch of nutmeg brings mild calming compounds.
    — Patsy Anthony, Vogue, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of calming

Browse Nearby Words

relaxes
relaxing
relay
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Cite this Entry

“Relaxing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/relaxing. Accessed 22 Oct. 2026.

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