1
2
3

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 But more lax joints can move in different direction more readily and thus leave your ligaments more prone to damage. Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2025 Producer of Hate: For years, Matthew Allison took advantage of lax moderation on the social media platform Telegram to churn out videos — around 120 in total — celebrating white terrorism. James Bandler, ProPublica, 25 Mar. 2025 Compounding the problem is the lax verification of developers. Alex Vakulov, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025 This was Madness, where a lax effort against a plucky underdog meant the death of a season. Luca Evans, The Denver Post, 20 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for lax
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lax
Adjective
  • Following the accident, the driver, a 61-year-old woman, was cited with careless driving and cooperated with investigators at the scene, the sheriff’s office said.
    Sam Gillette, People.com, 8 Apr. 2025
  • She was cited with careless driving, the sheriff’s office said.
    Mark Price, Miami Herald, 8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Take enough time to have regular and relaxed bowel movements.
    Cristina Mutchler, Health, 8 Apr. 2025
  • In terms of design, the waterfall look of the nightstands fits into today’s obsession with midcentury modern, and the curved effect makes the room feel that much more soft and relaxed.
    Bryce Jones, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The rise of institutional investment in housing has also made people more vulnerable to eviction and to neglectful or abusive landlord management practices.
    Made by History, TIME, 25 Mar. 2025
  • Stress Factors There a few factors, mostly neglectful, that can cause stress on your peace lily.
    Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 25 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The device uses microneedles and flexible wiring to capture neural signals just beneath the skin, enhancing signal quality while minimizing invasiveness.
    Charlie Fink, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Want a new career that’s higher-paying, more flexible or fulfilling?
    Kamaron McNair, CNBC, 18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • That film was the third in Trier’s loose Oslo trilogy and was co-written with his long-time collaborator Eskil Vogt, who is also a co-writer on Sentimental Value.
    Max Goldbart, Deadline, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Collins went on to join another funk pioneer: George Clinton, whose alternating bands Parliament and Funkadelic were innovating a looser, more improvisational and funnier style that would help define Black music in the ’70s.
    Steve Knopper, Billboard, 9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The natural hot springs and spa are favorites among the more mature crowd, and the indoor pool, two-acre water park (complete with waterslide and a lazy river), and lawn games appeal to younger generations.
    Lydia Mansel, Southern Living, 18 Apr. 2025
  • And, being just 20 minutes from Athens’ city center, the hotel is perfectly positioned for both lazy beach days and quick jaunts to the Acropolis.
    Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 16 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Had the veteran made sloppy errors or been at blame for any goals conceded, Farke would have been left with nowhere else to turn.
    Beren Cross, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2025
  • During Nebraska’s run, Cardenas endured an uncharacteristic sloppy spell, turning over the ball six times in the first half.
    Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 5 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Descending is still important, especially in modern cross country, so XC bikes often have dropper posts and slack head angles, but the geometry is still less confidence-inspiring than trail bikes.
    Seb Stott, Outside Online, 27 Jan. 2025
  • If the rules are too slack, people take advantage of them.
    Dave Altimari, Hartford Courant, 8 Jan. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Lax.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lax. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on lax

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!