lax

This term carries a strong connotation of failure or negligence when applied to rules, discipline, or security. It suggests a gap between a required standard and the actual practice, often implying that the lack of rigor is a flaw or a risk rather than a positive trait. In a physical sense, it describes a lack of tension or firmness. While "relaxed" usually implies a positive state of calm or intentional ease, "lax" often describes a state of looseness that may be undesirable or symptomatic of weakness, such as in muscle tone or a loose garment.