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
Relevance
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
Finally, secure the hair with the tie or scrunchie and loosen the top.
—
Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 27 Jan. 2026
The comparison game, the one that turns playgrounds and playdates into mental minefields, loosens its grip.
—Danielle Marie Holland, Parents, 27 Jan. 2026
Travel still isn't recommended, though the rules have loosened a bit on that front, but a travel watch remain in place into Wednesday.
—Jen Guadarrama, IndyStar, 27 Jan. 2026
Baking soda, a fine white powder, can neutralize acidic carpet stains, absorb odors, and act as a gentle abrasive to help loosen and lift dirt and other debris.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 26 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for loosen
Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 27 Jan. 2026
The comparison game, the one that turns playgrounds and playdates into mental minefields, loosens its grip.
—Danielle Marie Holland, Parents, 27 Jan. 2026
Travel still isn't recommended, though the rules have loosened a bit on that front, but a travel watch remain in place into Wednesday.
—Jen Guadarrama, IndyStar, 27 Jan. 2026
Baking soda, a fine white powder, can neutralize acidic carpet stains, absorb odors, and act as a gentle abrasive to help loosen and lift dirt and other debris.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 26 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for loosen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for loosen
Verb
-
Sleep disturbances While marijuana’s mild sedating and relaxing effects can sometimes help people who have difficulty falling asleep, experts say there are several important things to consider before using it as a sleep aid.—
Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
30 Jan. 2026
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Protect the nest and set kind rules everyone understands, because clarity gives you strength while your intuition helps the household relax.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
At least 302 people have been released as of Thursday, according to the organization Foro Penal, though its tally is far lower than the more than 800 reported by authorities.—
Anabella González,
CNN Money,
31 Jan. 2026
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These early concepts were blown away in the next decade, when the original Elite was released in 1984.—
Alan Bradley,
Space.com,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
For example, the higher estimates for the infamous August 2013 East Ghoutta chemical weapons attack, which saw sarin nerve gas unleashed on an urban civilian area, are 1,500 dead.—
Paul Iddon,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
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The societies that can advance to the frontiers of the productive power that capitalism unleashes while maintaining their coherence and élan advance to the front of the race for international status and power.—
Walter Russell Mead,
The Atlantic,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
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To help ease your planning, consider this handy guide for each island’s must-visit features, proving there is something for everyone in this Caribbean gem.—
Condé Nast Traveler,
Condé Nast Traveler,
30 Jan. 2026
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The administration has eased its tone and admitted mistakes in its immigration enforcement campaign since Pretti’s killing, but hasn’t backed down completely or paused operations in Minneapolis, as critics demanded.—
Kevin Rector,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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By smashing together heavy atoms of lead traveling at near-light speeds using the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), scientists can create a high-energy environment that briefly frees gluons and quarks from this atomic bondage, recreating the quark-gluon plasma of the early universe.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
30 Jan. 2026
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Though fumble recoveries are mostly about good fortune, the process of freeing the ball can often be technique-driven.—
Jesse Newell,
New York Times,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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She was sent to Ravensbrück and then to Bergen-Belsen, where she was liberated by the British Army in April 1945.—
Vanessa Gera,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Jan. 2026
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Art is a beautiful way of showing Black children, and children in general, that Black people are beautiful, and that our stories and the stories of our families move us forward and liberate us as well.—
Lynnette Nicholas,
Parents,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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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
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Harrison is also a fan of the hair screw tool that’s designed to pick up long strands of hair and loose pet fur with ease.—
Yelena Moroz Alpert,
Architectural Digest,
23 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Crews rescued another, uninjured employee who was stranded with the crane above the site.—
Hope Karnopp,
jsonline.com,
1 Feb. 2026
-
Trump has promised to help rescue the country’s persecuted protesters as thousands died.—
David Zimmermann,
The Washington Examiner,
1 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Loosen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/loosen. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.
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