relax

I

(New American Roget's College Thesaurus)

v. rest, relent, slacken, loosen, unbend, abate, relieve, ease, mitigate. See softness, pity, repose, moderation.

II

(Roget's IV) v.

1. [To rest]

Syn. unwind, repose, recline, settle back, make oneself at home, breathe easy, take it easy, take one's time, take a break, sit around, sit back, stop work, lie down, unbend, be at ease, loaf, cool one's heels*, take a breather*, ease off*, take five*, slack off*, decompress*, let one's hair down*; see also rest 1 .

2. [To make less rigid]

Syn. loosen, slacken, bend, ease up on; see decrease 2 , ease 2 .

III

(Roget's 3 Superthesaurus) v.

1. loosen up be at ease, *take it easy, rest, unwind, let oneself go, calm down, *let one's hair down, take a break, laze.

2. slacken soften, let up, lessen, ease off, loosen, diminish, relieve, lighten, moderate.

ANT.: 1. get woundup, tense, labor, *drive oneself into the grave. 2. tighten, tense up, wind up

IV

(Roget's Thesaurus II) verb 1. To reduce in tension, pressure, or rigidity: ease, let up, loose, loosen, slack, slacken, untighten. See TIGHTEN. 2. To take repose by ceasing work or other effort for an interval of time: rest1, unbend, unwind. Idioms: lead (or live) the life of Riley, take it easy. See CONTINUE.