loosen up

verb

loosened up; loosening up; loosens up

intransitive verb

: to become less tense : relax

Examples of loosen up in a Sentence

hoped that adding a second lane would loosen up traffic on that street a high-pressure job that makes it hard for him to loosen up even on weekends
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Let your guard down and loosen up a bit. Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 21 Sep. 2025 But after a few uses and washes, it’s loosened up and now feels perfect for the combination of my head and hair size. Ayana Underwood, Outside, 20 Sep. 2025 Start by boiling a pot of hot water on your stove and pouring it slowly down your drain to loosen up the hair, food, or other debris. Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 18 Sep. 2025 The magnesium salt flakes loosen up tight shoulders and soothe tired feet, as lavender and clary sage oil turn the day's stresses into far-off, distant memories. Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for loosen up

Word History

First Known Use

1922, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of loosen up was in 1922

Cite this Entry

“Loosen up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/loosen%20up. Accessed 30 Sep. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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