2
: deficient in firmness : not stringent
lax control
a lax foreman
security has been lax
3
a
: not tense, firm, or rigid : slack
a lax rope
b
: having an open or loose texture
a lax soil
c
: having the constituents spread apart
a lax flower cluster
4
: articulated with the muscles involved in a relatively relaxed state (such as the vowel \i\ in contrast with the vowel \ē\)
Examples of lax in a Sentence
Adjective
The university has been lax about enforcing these rules.
lax parents who let their kids stay out as late as they want
Recent Examples on the Web
Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 11 Sep. 2025
Contraband control was equally lax.
—Walter Pavlo, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Because of the lax law, Missouri had become a safe harbor for unlicensed facilities, some which had been investigated or shut down in other states.
—Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 10 Sep. 2025
Bringing his characteristic flair for ramping up tension with handheld cameras and rapid cutting, Greengrass illustrates how easily the combination of lax safety standards and fire-friendly weather can build in what seems like a heartbeat into a mass-casualty event.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 6 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lax
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Adjective
Wilson argued the Charlotte attack resulted from several failures, from lax ticket enforcement to reliance on private security, rather than policies from Cooper’s tenure.
—Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 11 Sep. 2025
Contraband control was equally lax.
—Walter Pavlo, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Because of the lax law, Missouri had become a safe harbor for unlicensed facilities, some which had been investigated or shut down in other states.
—Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 10 Sep. 2025
Bringing his characteristic flair for ramping up tension with handheld cameras and rapid cutting, Greengrass illustrates how easily the combination of lax safety standards and fire-friendly weather can build in what seems like a heartbeat into a mass-casualty event.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 6 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lax
Cite this Entry
“Lax.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lax. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
lax
adjective1
of the bowels
: loose sense 3
2
: having loose bowels
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