1
as in loosened
not tightly fastened, tied, or stretched
secure your neckerchief with a loose knot
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in unconsolidated
consisting of particles that do not stick together
the car wheels slipped on the loose gravel in the driveway
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3
as in flexible
not bound by rigid standards
we tend to be loose with the dress code when we aren't hosting clients at the office
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4
as in free
not bound, confined, or detained by force
there was a brief panic when the lion got loose from its cage at the zoo
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5
as in approximate
not precisely correct
a loose guess about the size of the crowd at the outdoor concert
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6
as in corrupt
having or showing lowered moral character or standards
the loose life that he led in the years before he settled down and found his path
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to fire
to cause (a projectile) to be driven forward with force
the archers loosed a great volley of arrows at the foot soldiers charging towards them
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2
as in to unleash
to find emotional release for
do not loose your pent-up frustrations on the next person who happens by
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3
as in to free
to set free (as from slavery or confinement)
the ranchers loosed the horses from their stables and into the paddock
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4
as in to loosen
to set free (from a state of being held in check)
the storm loosed its full fury when it hit the coastline at high tide
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of loose
Domenica Bongiovanni, IndyStar, 2 July 2025
There are questions over whether Iran’s nuclear facilities were damaged to the point of uselessness, how much loose nuclear material may now be floating around Iran, and the speed with which Iran can reconstitute its program.
—The Editors, National Review, 24 June 2025
Matthew Specktor, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Even before the rains, rockslides loosed by the wildfire had tumbled onto the road.
—Trevor Hughes, USA TODAY, 8 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for loose
Adjective
The venue's speakeasy vibe and the opportunity to witness these musicians cut loose and be creative makes for a fantastic evening.
—Domenica Bongiovanni, IndyStar, 2 July 2025
There are questions over whether Iran’s nuclear facilities were damaged to the point of uselessness, how much loose nuclear material may now be floating around Iran, and the speed with which Iran can reconstitute its program.
—The Editors, National Review, 24 June 2025
Verb
In the fall of 1982, Love Child receives its title and is loosed into theaters, only to vanish a few weeks later.
—Matthew Specktor, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Even before the rains, rockslides loosed by the wildfire had tumbled onto the road.
—Trevor Hughes, USA TODAY, 8 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for loose
Recent Examples of Synonyms for loose
Adjective
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Management identified a material weakness in internal controls related to verifying information from unconsolidated subsidiaries, which has been addressed with new procedures.—
Quartz Intelligence Newsroom,
Quartz,
1 Apr. 2025
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Related article Massive sinkhole threatens to swallow West Virginia police department Takashi Oguchi, a geographer from the University of Tokyo, said sinkholes are rare in Japan, where most roads are built on unconsolidated fluvial and marine sediments.—
Yumi Asada, Chris Lau and Minori Konishi,
CNN,
31 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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This variety pack of bandages covers every kind of small injury—a total of 280 sheer and clear flexible adhesive bandages in five different sizes and shapes, for small wounds, burns, or even shoe chafing.—
Alesandra Dubin,
Travel + Leisure,
11 July 2025
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Bill Smith, founder and CEO of grantee Inseparable, said flexible funding allows nonprofits to adapt to a volatile policy climate.—
Hayley Cuccinello,
CNBC,
11 July 2025
Adjective
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April 2025 The Devil: April calls you to confront any attachments or patterns that may be holding you back, Scorpio, as The Devil urges you to break free from unhealthy cycles.—
Meghan Rose,
Glamour,
1 July 2025
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This isn’t a free pass to every office space owner.—
Brett Owens,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
Adjective
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La Liga has publicly released the approximate dates that next season's editions of El Clasico between bitter rivals FC Barcelona and Real Madrid will take place.—
Tom Sanderson,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
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The Tribune was able to calculate approximate amounts based on the language of the agreements and other public records.—
Lizzie Kane,
Chicago Tribune,
30 June 2025
Adjective
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And then reality crashes down around them in a series of scenes that expose the cruel hypocrisy of Iran’s corrupt system (which purports to uphold morality, but allows men in positions of authority to indulge themselves in egregious ways).—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
11 July 2025
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Rachel and Ray need to go on the run after Ray’s investigation into a corrupt pharmaceutical executive puts their live in peril.—
Tim Lammers,
Forbes.com,
11 July 2025
Verb
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In 1987, after Marvel had been acquired by New World Pictures, Shooter, whose welcome was already wearing thin, was, by some accounts, fired for demanding editorial autonomy and the payment of royalties.—
Rob Salkowitz,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
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The people who knew the codes — who were responsible for distributing that aid — were fired.—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
1 July 2025
Verb
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Fewer rules and pages translate to less red tape and less stifling of innovation, potentially unleashing fresh economic dynamism.—
Clyde Wayne Crews Jr,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
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The movie brings back several old favorites — including Velociraptors, Dilophosaurus and a T. rex from the original — before unleashing this fresh monstrosity on the handful of characters who make it to the end.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
30 June 2025
Verb
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Earlier this year, ESA released a request for proposals to European industry for bids to compete in the European Launch Challenge.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
9 July 2025
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Brian Barry-Murphy, a former Manchester City academy coach, has been handed the task of leading a considerable rebuild after nine players, including Bale’s former Wales team-mate Aaron Ramsey and ex-club captain Joe Ralls, were released this summer.—
Richard Sutcliffe,
New York Times,
9 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Loose.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/loose. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.
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