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
Now, in an age of instant communications, their Cold War counterparts could nonetheless disappear into a covert netherworld, loosening Washington’s controls and freeing them to plot coups, mobilize armies, and install governments.
—
Alfred McCoy, Literary Hub, 26 Feb. 2026
Affordable housing bill loosens income limits This year’s draft requires average rents to be affordable to residents earning the 60% area median income.
—Mark Dee, Idaho Statesman, 26 Feb. 2026
Separately, also this week, Anthropic loosened its core safety policy to better adapt to a fast-moving market in which competitors may not abide by the same safety standards.
—David Goldman, CNN Money, 26 Feb. 2026
Use a toothbrush to scrub the inside of the base and around all openings to loosen any mineral buildup.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 25 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for loosen
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Alfred McCoy, Literary Hub, 26 Feb. 2026
Affordable housing bill loosens income limits This year’s draft requires average rents to be affordable to residents earning the 60% area median income.
—Mark Dee, Idaho Statesman, 26 Feb. 2026
Separately, also this week, Anthropic loosened its core safety policy to better adapt to a fast-moving market in which competitors may not abide by the same safety standards.
—David Goldman, CNN Money, 26 Feb. 2026
Use a toothbrush to scrub the inside of the base and around all openings to loosen any mineral buildup.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 25 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for loosen
Cite this Entry
“Loosen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/loosen. Accessed 28 Feb. 2026.
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