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
When drivers are operating the vehicles, the wheel’s seating surface may deform, causing the wheel nut to loosen and detach, leading to the wheel separating from the vehicle.
—
Saleen Martin, USA Today, 7 Nov. 2025
The heat-and-massage combo provides the ultimate relaxation, loosening tense neck muscles with just the right amount of pressure.
—Jamie Fischer, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Nov. 2025
Gently remove the plant from its pot and loosen the roots.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 6 Nov. 2025
Tokyo has quietly loosened visa rules for workers in key industries such as manufacturing, agriculture, and caregiving amid labor shortages driven by a falling birth rate and declining interest among Japanese workers.
—Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for loosen
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Saleen Martin, USA Today, 7 Nov. 2025
The heat-and-massage combo provides the ultimate relaxation, loosening tense neck muscles with just the right amount of pressure.
—Jamie Fischer, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Nov. 2025
Gently remove the plant from its pot and loosen the roots.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 6 Nov. 2025
Tokyo has quietly loosened visa rules for workers in key industries such as manufacturing, agriculture, and caregiving amid labor shortages driven by a falling birth rate and declining interest among Japanese workers.
—Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 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 10 Nov. 2025.
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