relaxer
noun
re·lax·er
ri-ˈlak-sər 
plural relaxers
: something or someone that relaxes or produces relaxation
What makes the neck relaxer so good is how it stretches your spine and neck.—
Thomas Price
Thomas PriceAnother reliable relaxer is autogenic training, a kind of self-programming that creates the relaxation response through suggestion.—Lonny J. Brown
Lonny J. Brown[Relief pitcher Tommy] Hunter will take a few days off from throwing before resuming work. The spasms typically go away with rest and muscle relaxers …—St. Paul (Minnesota) Pioneer Press
St. Paul (Minnesota) Pioneer Press
especially
: a usually chemical treatment used to straighten curly and especially kinky (see kinky sense 1) hair
I have naturally curly hair, but I prefer to wear it straight—I always have. Getting a relaxer was pretty much my only solution to making styling my hair a shorter and easier process. But, naturally, they're not for everyone. —Andrea Navarro
Andrea Navarro If you have natural hair, then you may have considered getting a hair relaxer at some point. After all, taking care of your curls can be time-consuming, which can make having sleek, super-straight hair straight out of bed sound pretty appealing. And with the relaxers growing in popularity once again … you may be particularly curious about them right now. —lorealparisusa.com
lorealparisusa.com Hair relaxers have been around for over a century and are used to chemically straighten hair by getting into the cuticle and cortex layers. During this process, the curly, wavy, or kinky hair patterns are straightened out, resulting in that quintessential straight, sleek look. —Del Sandeen
Del Sandeen Examples of relaxer in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Although chemical relaxers were on the rise, the brand built their legacy off of doing things differently, from delivery systems to packaging, and even directly educating hairstylists to use their products.
—India Espy-Jones, Essence, 15 May 2025
Typically, relaxers are applied every six to 12 weeks.
—Heather Jones, Verywell Health, 22 Apr. 2025
In the past, it’s taken 2-3 days for the soreness to subside with rest, muscle relaxers and treatment.
—Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 24 May 2025
Unlike a relaxer or texturizer, a keratin treatment sits on top of the cuticle instead of penetrating it, so the keratin will wash out after five to six months and your hair will theoretically return to its natural state.
—Annie Blay, Allure, 8 July 2024
See All Example Sentences for relaxer
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.
India Espy-Jones, Essence, 15 May 2025
Typically, relaxers are applied every six to 12 weeks.
—Heather Jones, Verywell Health, 22 Apr. 2025
In the past, it’s taken 2-3 days for the soreness to subside with rest, muscle relaxers and treatment.
—Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 24 May 2025
Unlike a relaxer or texturizer, a keratin treatment sits on top of the cuticle instead of penetrating it, so the keratin will wash out after five to six months and your hair will theoretically return to its natural state.
—Annie Blay, Allure, 8 July 2024
See All Example Sentences for relaxer
Cite this Entry
“Relaxer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/relaxer. Accessed 11 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share