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as in to relax
to make less taut the lead climber loosened the climbing rope so that the other climber could have more room to maneuver

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of loosen Image Bitcoin, which hit a record on Monday, and other digital tokens have soared since Election Day on the hope that the incoming administration will loosen regulation around the sector. Andrew Ross Sorkin, New York Times, 20 Jan. 2025 What to do: To remove excess hair, cut the hair strands with scissors to loosen them up and pull them out of the brush. Katelyn Squiers, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Jan. 2025 The clearest way for the White House to loosen rules requiring automakers to make more EVs will be to target vehicle fuel efficiency and tailpipe standards. Aarian Marshall, WIRED, 22 Jan. 2025 For example, Boulder loosened its restrictions, requiring natural medicine businesses to reside only 500 feet from schools and daycares. Tiney Ricciardi, The Denver Post, 21 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for loosen 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for loosen
Verb
  • Poses that stretch the area around the sciatica nerve, such as those that stretch the glutes or piriformis, or butt muscles, can help relax tense muscles that may cause more sciatic nerve pain.
    Cory Martin, Verywell Health, 3 Feb. 2025
  • These drugs help treat high blood pressure by blocking calcium to help relax blood vessels.8 Because magnesium acts as a natural calcium channel blocker, taking magnesium supplements along with calcium channel blocker drugs may cause your blood pressure to drop too low.
    Ashley Wong, Health, 3 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • The mall operator releases quarterly numbers after the bell Tuesday.
    Jason Gewirtz, CNBC, 4 Feb. 2025
  • The satellites, group 12-3, will be released in low-Earth orbit to join the growing internet constellation.
    Josh Dinner, Space.com, 4 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Young told the Daily News the attacker also had a dog, but his was unleashed.
    Charna Flam, People.com, 29 Jan. 2025
  • The big picture: Trump moved to unleash sweeping limits on immigration and asylum soon after taking office last Monday, declaring a national emergency on the U.S.-Mexico border and signing a flurry of executive orders.
    Rebecca Falconer, Axios, 28 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Aptiv, an auto parts supplier, declined 7.61%, and engine maker Cummins eased 2.71%.
    Medora Lee, USA TODAY, 3 Feb. 2025
  • Elite athletes may know what hitting the wall actually feels like, but most of us ease up well short of collapse.
    Dennis Lewon, Outside Online, 2 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • The Chiefs will have to slide a lot of protections toward Carter, which should free up Williams.
    Mike Preston, Baltimore Sun, 28 Jan. 2025
  • After Carter was freed, a man who'd taken the then-12 year old under his wing tried to help the boy reunite with his mother.
    Amber Hunt, USA TODAY, 28 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Outie Mark loves Gemma, and wants to liberate her from whatever captivity Lumon has placed her in, but Innie Mark’s feelings for Helly continue to bloom.
    Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 31 Jan. 2025
  • Ukraine liberated the city in November of that year.
    Brian Mann, NPR, 28 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Between the lines: OpenAI views Operator as the first baby steps toward loosing its AI on the world beyond ChatGPT's window.
    Megan Morrone, Axios, 24 Jan. 2025
  • When quantity is the most cherished currency, quality looses out.
    Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Disaster struck when a team of firefighters trying to rescue two comrades trapped in the building were themselves imperiled by a collapsing wall.
    Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 28 Jan. 2025
  • Israeli forces have rescued eight living hostages and recovered the remains of dozens more, at least three of them mistakenly killed by Israeli forces.
    Wafaa Shurafa, Samy Magdy, TIME, 27 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near loosen

Cite this Entry

“Loosen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/loosen. Accessed 11 Feb. 2025.

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