become less tense, rest, or take ones ease; He relaxed in the hot tub; Lets all relax after a hard days work

[ Syn: loosen up , unbend , unwind , decompress , slow down ]

make less taut; relax the tension on the rope

[ Syn: unbend ]

become loose or looser or less tight; The noose loosened; the rope relaxed

[ Syn: loosen , loose ]

cause to feel relaxed; A hot bath always relaxes me

[ Syn: unstrain , unstrain , unlax , unlax , loosen up , loosen up , unwind , unwind , make relaxed , make relaxed ]

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

[ Syn: loosen up ]

make less severe or strict; The government relaxed the curfew after most of the rebels were caught

[ Syn: loosen ]

become less severe or strict; The rules relaxed after the new director arrived

[ Syn: loosen ]

make less active or fast; He slackened his pace as he got tired; Dont relax your efforts now

[ Syn: slack , slacken , slack up ]