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
The screws may loosen and allow engine oil to leak from the screw holes, according to the recall report.
—
James Powel, USA Today, 13 May 2025
The idea here is that long hairs will get wrapped around the side brushes as per normal in their V formation, but then as the brushes come in toward that parallel configuration, the hair loosens and gets flung straight into the main vacuum.
—New Atlas, 10 May 2025
Tuck in a bib, loosen your belt, and prepare to break bread — the nonnas have arrived.
—Randall Colburn, EW.com, 9 May 2025
Higher rates tend to slow economic growth as companies tighten spending in response to elevated borrowing costs’ impact on bottom lines, while lower rates typically stimulate the economy as companies loosen their belt and spend more freely thanks to cheaper loans.
—Derek Saul, Forbes.com, 7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for loosen
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James Powel, USA Today, 13 May 2025
The idea here is that long hairs will get wrapped around the side brushes as per normal in their V formation, but then as the brushes come in toward that parallel configuration, the hair loosens and gets flung straight into the main vacuum.
—New Atlas, 10 May 2025
Tuck in a bib, loosen your belt, and prepare to break bread — the nonnas have arrived.
—Randall Colburn, EW.com, 9 May 2025
Higher rates tend to slow economic growth as companies tighten spending in response to elevated borrowing costs’ impact on bottom lines, while lower rates typically stimulate the economy as companies loosen their belt and spend more freely thanks to cheaper loans.
—Derek Saul, Forbes.com, 7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for loosen
Cite this Entry
“Loosen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/loosen. Accessed 24 May. 2025.
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