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Synonym Chooser

How is the word lax different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of lax are neglectful, negligent, remiss, and slack. While all these words mean "culpably careless or indicative of such carelessness," lax implies a blameworthy lack of strictness, severity, or precision.

a reporter lax about accurate quotation

When could neglectful be used to replace lax?

While in some cases nearly identical to lax, neglectful adds a more disapproving implication of laziness or deliberate inattention.

a society callously neglectful of the poor

When would negligent be a good substitute for lax?

Although the words negligent and lax have much in common, negligent implies inattention to one's duty or business.

negligent about writing a note of thanks

When is remiss a more appropriate choice than lax?

The words remiss and lax are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, remiss implies blameworthy carelessness shown in slackness, forgetfulness, or neglect.

had been remiss in their familial duties

When can slack be used instead of lax?

While the synonyms slack and lax are close in meaning, slack implies want of due or necessary diligence or care.

slack workmanship

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of lax Shields gave Henchy credit for being a great, present father, but shared why she’s become more lax with her girls over time. Angel Saunders, People.com, 4 July 2025 Those flaws, Michaud said, included lax bookkeeping practices and oversight failures that resulted in the loss of hundreds of thousands of dollars. Dan Horn, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025 Over the last decade, the city-state has seen a 64 percent increase in millionaires, due to the small nation’s open economy, liberal immigration policies, and lax regulations on wealth taxes. India Brown, Robb Report, 7 July 2025 Innovation surged, but so did corruption and inequality as lax regulations enabled tycoons to accumulate extraordinary wealth. Valerie L. Myers, The Conversation, 3 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for lax
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lax
Adjective
  • Proof Carefully To Show Professionalism And Attention To Detail What gets my negative attention are résumés with careless errors—typos, missing words and inconsistent formatting.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
  • Social media erupted in fear, and disgust, or simply threw shame his way for being careless.
    Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 8 July 2025
Adjective
  • The following Canadian towns offer a more local experience than their big city neighbors, are more affordable, and allow travelers to get to know the destination at a slower and more relaxed pace.
    Kaitlyn McInnis, Forbes.com, 24 July 2025
  • Another 2024 Michelin winner is Rocca, where chef and owner Bryce Bonsack serves Italian fare in a relaxed atmosphere inspired by his pilgrimage to Italy.
    Mariette Williams, USA Today, 24 July 2025
Adjective
  • Hinchliffe Stadium originally opened in 1932 and hosted the Negro Leagues’ New York Black Yankees and the American Soccer League’s New Jersey Eagles in the late 1980s before shuttering in 1996 after many neglectful years without maintenance and upkeep.
    Jeff Rueter, New York Times, 10 July 2025
  • Raised by a neglectful alcoholic father in Buffalo, N.Y.
    Stephanie Sengwe, People.com, 19 June 2025
Adjective
  • The upcoming academic year will mark the debut of a new, more flexible ban on cellphone use at schools.
    Ashley Mackin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 July 2025
  • This entails the focus on more flexible work arrangements and challenges the more deeply rooted traditional relationships between employees and employers.
    Bankim Chandra, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025
Adjective
  • The drone with its live, loose grenade needs to be handled by an explosive ordnance disposal tech.
    David Hambling, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025
  • If there is time, secure loose objects outside as these objects often become dangerous flying debris in high winds.
    Eva Wen, jsonline.com, 15 July 2025
Adjective
  • Babitz is often contrasted with her frenemy Joan Didion—Babitz was cast in the popular imagination as the fun, ditzy sexpot, as opposed to Didion’s cool, cold-blooded stenographer—but the maturity and thoughtfulness of these stories dispel any lazy stereotypes.
    The Atlantic Culture Desk, The Atlantic, 23 July 2025
  • It's adorned as a melting ski resort, featuring cool slides, a lazy river, and a wave pool.
    Lynnette Nicholas, Parents, 23 July 2025
Adjective
  • Some of it is good, but a lot of it is sloppy, outdated or full of vulnerabilities.
    Jimmie Lee, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
  • Hein was sloppy, lazy and showed a lack of impartiality in dealing with him, Hicks said in his filing.
    Patricia Gallagher Newberry, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
Adjective
  • In the footage, the wooden wall can be seen falling forward with a thud, while two vertical cables hang behind, apparently slack.
    Jake Kanter, Deadline, 27 June 2025
  • Flying Squirrel Trampoline Park, 3305 Corporate Ave, Weston, is an indoor entertainment park with trampolines, dodgeball court, battle beam, climbing walls, ropes course, slack line, dunk hoops, ninja course arcade games, children’s areas (soft-play playground) and the Drey Café.
    Rod Stafford Hagwood, Sun Sentinel, 25 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Lax.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lax. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

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