loosen

1 to make less taut the lead climber loosened the climbing rope so that the other climber could have more room to maneuver Synonyms ease, slacken, relax, slackRelated Words detach, free, unbind, undo, unfasten, untieNear Antonyms attach, bind, fasten, tie; constrain, restrainAntonyms strain, stretch, tense, tension, tighten

2 to set free (as from slavery or confinement) the secret police have ways of loosening your tongue Synonyms discharge, disenthrall (also disenthral), emancipate, enfranchise, enlarge, liberate, loose, free, manumit, release, spring, unbind, uncage, unchain, unfetterRelated Words bail (out), deliver, parole, ransom, redeem, rescue, save; adrift, disembarrass, disencumber, disengage, disentangle, extricate; unshackleNear Antonyms handcuff, manacle, shackle, trammel; commit, immure, imprison, incarcerate, intern, jail, lock (up); conquer, enslave, subdue, subjugateAntonyms bind, confine, enchain, fetter, restrain

3 to set free (from a state of being held in check) the well-known fact that alcohol tends to loosen a person's inhibitions Synonyms loose, release, uncork, unleash, unlock, unloose, unloosenRelated Words discharge, emancipate, enfranchise, free, liberate, manumit, spring, unbind, uncage, unchain, unfetter, unmoor, unshackle; air, express, take out, ventNear Antonyms handcuff, manacle, shackle, trammel; bind, confine, enchain, fetter; halter, hamperAntonyms bridle, check, constrain, contain, control, curb, govern, hold, inhibit, regulate, rein (in), restrain, smother, tame