relaxes

1. become less tense, rest, or take one's easeExamples: "He relaxed in the hot tub"; "Let's all relax after a hard day's work"Synonyms: decompress, loosen up, relax, slow down, unbend, unwindAntonyms: tense

2. make less tautExamples: "relax the tension on the rope"Synonyms: relax, unbend

3. become loose or looser or less tightExamples: "The noose loosened"; "the rope relaxed"Synonyms: loose, loosen, relaxAntonyms: stiffen

4. cause to feel relaxedExamples: "A hot bath always relaxes me"Synonyms: loosen up, make relaxed, relax, unlax, unstrain, unwindAntonyms: strain, tense

5. become less tense, less formal, or less restrained, and assume a friendlier mannerExamples: "our new colleague relaxed when he saw that we were a friendly group"Synonyms: loosen up, relax

6. make less severe or strictExamples: "The government relaxed the curfew after most of the rebels were caught"Synonyms: loosen, relax