1
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
2
as in to release
to set free (as from slavery or confinement)
the dog ran after the squirrel after he was loosened from the post
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to unleash
to set free (from a state of being held in check)
once he got to know us better, his inhibitions loosened a bit
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of loosen
Psilocybin can loosen the grip of depression.
—
Dimitri Mugianis, STAT, 20 Apr. 2026
Meanwhile, new developments in what the president calls his push to make America healthy again, an executive order loosening restrictions on psychedelic drugs.
—CBS News, 19 Apr. 2026
To reheat, add more broth to loosen, before reheating portions gently in the microwave.
—Erin Merhar, Southern Living, 19 Apr. 2026
That bill, if enacted into law, would give the city the ability to loosen development restrictions on the stadium property for a team owner willing to call the team the Anaheim Angels.
—Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for loosen
Dimitri Mugianis, STAT, 20 Apr. 2026
Meanwhile, new developments in what the president calls his push to make America healthy again, an executive order loosening restrictions on psychedelic drugs.
—CBS News, 19 Apr. 2026
To reheat, add more broth to loosen, before reheating portions gently in the microwave.
—Erin Merhar, Southern Living, 19 Apr. 2026
That bill, if enacted into law, would give the city the ability to loosen development restrictions on the stadium property for a team owner willing to call the team the Anaheim Angels.
—Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for loosen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for loosen
Verb
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Teachers were encouraged to act as therapists and relax rigor, ease grading, and lessen homework.—
Steven F. Wilson,
The Atlantic,
24 Apr. 2026
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But the only policy lever available to the state, and one whose impact won’t be felt until late May, is to temporarily relax the Low Carbon Fuel Standard to allow a broader range of gasoline to be used.—
James Rector,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Patriots lost K’Lavon Chaisson in free agency and released edge defender Anfernee Jennings.—
Doug Kyed,
Boston Herald,
25 Apr. 2026
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With micro-dramas, if audiences don’t respond on the day a title is released, the social-media algorithm stops promoting it, and Zhou immediately changes what he green-lights.—
Chang Che,
New Yorker,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Check out the wide-mouthed scream unleashed by the Lakers’ Luke Kennard midway through the fourth quarter.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Artificial intelligence has unleashed the most upheaval within the industry since Jobs unveiled the first iPhone in 2007.—
Michael Liedtke,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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But those efforts might be better spent on easing caregivers’ administrative burdens than replacing their face time with patients.—
Catherine Thorbecke,
Twin Cities,
25 Apr. 2026
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The maneuver is aimed at easing strains on global funding markets, giving breathing room to households and businesses of both participating countries.—
Kevin Breuninger,
CNBC,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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That should free New England up Saturday to take some chances.—
Chad Graff,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
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Kerr’s motion offense helped the Warriors become a dynasty by freeing up all-time great jumpshooters Curry and Klay Thompson, but some in the organization believe the offensive attack is too open to 3-point variance, according to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne and Anthony Slater.—
Michael Nowels,
Mercury News,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Maybe Lakers players felt liberated by not having to deal with the big guy.—
Jim Alexander,
Oc Register,
19 Apr. 2026
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In December 2025, the Khartiia Corps led a counterattack in the Kupiansk direction, liberating several villages north of the city and pushing to the Oskil River.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The ClearBell colony loosing ClearBells like snowflakes into the water.—
Mandy-Suzanne Wong,
Longreads,
5 Feb. 2026
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Co-regulating your emotions alongside your toddler can help achieve a resolution to conflict without raising your voice or loosing your temper.—
Sara Rowe Mount,
Parents,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Cutesy anecdotes alternated with triumphs and tragedies—a school district rescued from a ransomware gang, an iPad salvaged from a plane crash.—
Julian Lucas,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
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Another skier was rescued Sunday after sustaining a knee injury in the Lindley Hut area, according to the Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office.—
Lauren Penington,
Denver Post,
19 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Loosen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/loosen. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
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