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 movement mirrors a human stretch meant to loosen the upper body.
—
Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2025
Always give the fabric a good shake outdoors to loosen and release excess dirt and dust before placing microfiber cloths in the machine.
—Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Oct. 2025
About 1 foot out from the main stem, loosen the soil all around the clump with a garden fork, then carefully lift the tubers from the ground.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 17 Oct. 2025
The impact has loosened something around the engine, and now the car’s not quite running right.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 16 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for loosen
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Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2025
Always give the fabric a good shake outdoors to loosen and release excess dirt and dust before placing microfiber cloths in the machine.
—Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Oct. 2025
About 1 foot out from the main stem, loosen the soil all around the clump with a garden fork, then carefully lift the tubers from the ground.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 17 Oct. 2025
The impact has loosened something around the engine, and now the car’s not quite running right.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 16 Oct. 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 20 Oct. 2025.
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