How to Use loosen in a Sentence

loosen

verb

• He used a spade to loosen the soil.
• She loosened the cake from the sides of the pan.
• One of the screws had loosened a bit and had to be tightened.
• When the meeting was over he loosened his tie.
• After eating so much I had to loosen my belt.
• Each generation seems to loosen the established standards of behavior.
• Standards of behavior seem to be loosening everywhere.
• Flip hair over and shake out the curls to loosen them up.
  — Katie Berohn, Good Housekeeping, 12 May 2021
• It was found that the wheels could loosen and even fall off.
  — Peter Valdes-Dapena, CNN, 16 Nov. 2022
• As soon as the cake comes out of the oven, run a thin knife around the edges to loosen it.
  — Joanne Kempinger Demski, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 29 Dec. 2021
• Scrape the bottom of the pan to loosen drippings and browned bits.
  — People Staff, Peoplemag, 17 Nov. 2022
• This will help loosen any grease and debris built up in the grates.
  — Kaitlyn McInnis, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Apr. 2023
• Rhodes loosened the rope and pulled it all off its hinges.
  — Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 4 Aug. 2025
• Add broth, scraping the bottom of the pot to loosen browned bits.
  — Felicia Campbell, The Arizona Republic, 8 Apr. 2022
• Foam rolling helps to stretch and loosen tight muscles.
  — WIRED, 17 Nov. 2023
• The storm had loosened the piece of clay from a nearby cliff face.
  — Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Apr. 2025
• Swirl the rice gently with your hand to loosen the surface starch.
  — Aksha Mittapalli, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 July 2024
• Salt the thighs, front and back, and then slide your finger under the skin to loosen it.
  — G. Daniela Galarza, Washington Post, 16 Feb. 2023
• In the old days, we were taught to dig the hole the depth of the soil ball and then loosen 12 inches of soil in the bottom of the hole.
  — Paul Cappiello, The Courier-Journal, 3 Feb. 2023
• If in a plastic pot, squeeze the sides to loosen the root ball and tip the pot sideways to slide it out of the pot.
  — Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Nov. 2024
• Steam loosens any dirt on the floor, even working up sticky residue.
  — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 20 Mar. 2025
• Move to a cool place, loosen clothes, drink cool liquids, and take a cool bath.
  — Marty Munson, Men's Health, 11 July 2022
• First, loosen the clips on both ends of the new strut using the screwdriver.
  — Maryal Miller Carter, USA TODAY, 17 Apr. 2024
• His pace slowed down, his grip on the back of my head would loosen a little bit.
  — Hanif Abdurraqib, The New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2024
• That being said, if your life has felt too predictable or stagnant, this is your green light to loosen your grip and welcome the unexpected.
  — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 23 Apr. 2026
• Submerge the jacket and gently agitate the water with your hands to loosen dirt.
  — Katie Cloyd, Martha Stewart, 22 Apr. 2026
• Ideally, this would inspire others in the Legislature to loosen their grip on the books.
  — Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 22 Apr. 2026
• Note the control and tightness of the hatched lines on the cheek, and the way the mark loosens with the locks of hair right next to it, like wind rushing around a building.
  — Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
• Psilocybin can loosen the grip of depression.
  — Dimitri Mugianis, STAT, 20 Apr. 2026
• To reheat, add more broth to loosen, before reheating portions gently in the microwave.
  — Erin Merhar, Southern Living, 19 Apr. 2026