become less tense, rest, or take one's ease; "He relaxed in the hot tub"; "Let's all relax after a hard day's work"
make less taut; "relax the tension on the rope"
become loose or looser or less tight; "The noose loosened"; "the rope relaxed"
cause to feel relaxed; "A hot bath always relaxes me"
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"
make less severe or strict; "The government relaxed the curfew after most of the rebels were caught"
become less severe or strict; "The rules relaxed after the new director arrived"
make less active or fast; "He slackened his pace as he got tired"; "Don't relax your efforts now"