loosened; loosening
ˈlü-sᵊn-iŋ 
ˈlüs-niŋ
1
: to release from restraint
2
: to make looser
loosened his tie
loosen a screw
3
: to relieve (the bowels) of constipation
4
: to cause or permit to become less strict
—often used with up
loosened the rules
: to become loose or looser
Examples of loosen in a Sentence
He used a spade to loosen the soil.
She loosened the cake from the sides of the pan.
After eating so much I had to loosen my belt.
When the meeting was over he loosened his tie.
One of the screws had loosened a bit and had to be tightened.
Each generation seems to loosen the established standards of behavior.
Standards of behavior seem to be loosening everywhere.
Recent Examples on the Web
Instead, Alcaraz loosened the 36-year-old’s grip on the game ever so slightly.
—
Ava Wallace, Washington Post, 14 July 2024
In recent weeks, however, the market has loosened – for buyers, at least.
—Daniel De Visé, USA TODAY, 9 July 2024
Using Bluetooth, the sneakers paired to the Adapt app that let users do things like tighten or loosen the shoes' laces and control its LED lights.
—Scharon Harding, Ars Technica, 8 July 2024
Fluid retention Hormones such as relaxin that cause your ligaments to loosen
Pressure from your growing uterus and compressed organs
Weight gain
All of this pressure, loosening of ligaments, excess weight, and fluid retention can put a real strain on your body.
—wendy Wisner, Parents, 3 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for loosen 
Ava Wallace, Washington Post, 14 July 2024
In recent weeks, however, the market has loosened – for buyers, at least.
—Daniel De Visé, USA TODAY, 9 July 2024
Using Bluetooth, the sneakers paired to the Adapt app that let users do things like tighten or loosen the shoes' laces and control its LED lights.
—Scharon Harding, Ars Technica, 8 July 2024
Fluid retention Hormones such as relaxin that cause your ligaments to loosen
Pressure from your growing uterus and compressed organs
Weight gain
All of this pressure, loosening of ligaments, excess weight, and fluid retention can put a real strain on your body.
—wendy Wisner, Parents, 3 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for loosen
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'loosen.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Loosen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/loosen. Accessed 26 Jul. 2024.
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