Stops, removes top and relaxes (5)
I believe the answer is:
eases
'relaxes' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'stops removes top' is the wordplay.
'stops' becomes 'ceases' ('cease' can be a synonym of 'stop').
'removes top' means to remove the first letter.
'ceases' with its first letter taken away is 'EASES'.
'and' is the link.
(Other definitions for eases that I've seen before include "Moderates" , "Makes less severe" , "Relieves, loosens" , "Lessens tensions" , "Softens" .)