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
New beds should be dug or loosened to a depth of 12 inches for varieties with larger bulbs.
—
Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Oct. 2025
The judge denied Bovino’s request to loosen restrictions on tear gas use, insisting agents must provide clear warnings and justification before using chemical agents.
—Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 29 Oct. 2025
Houseplant began in Canada in 2019, but after some US states began loosening cannabis restrictions, the duo expanded the company stateside.
—Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 29 Oct. 2025
That remark cuts against one market narrative that loosening financial conditions might be fueling an asset bubble in tech.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for loosen
Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Oct. 2025
The judge denied Bovino’s request to loosen restrictions on tear gas use, insisting agents must provide clear warnings and justification before using chemical agents.
—Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 29 Oct. 2025
Houseplant began in Canada in 2019, but after some US states began loosening cannabis restrictions, the duo expanded the company stateside.
—Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 29 Oct. 2025
That remark cuts against one market narrative that loosening financial conditions might be fueling an asset bubble in tech.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for loosen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for loosen
Verb
-
Acidic and fizzy drinks can increase pressure in the stomach and cause the muscle at the top of the stomach to relax, allowing acid to come back up.—
Merve Ceylan,
Health,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Good food and drink plus a chance to relax will please you.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
While the identities of the victims have not yet been released by authorities, the victims were all adults.—
Hollie Silverman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Lionsgate released the first official teaser trailer for the forthcoming Michael Jackson biopic, Michael, on Thursday.—
Lexi Carson,
HollywoodReporter,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Prodded by OpenAI’s release of ChatGPT in late 2022, Google has been steadily rolling out more of its own technology designed to ensure its products continue to evolve with the upheaval being unleashed by AI.—
Michael Liedtke,
Fortune,
6 Nov. 2025
-
These collisions unleash bursts of energy, allowing physicists to explore the most fundamental building blocks of the universe.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Ending the government shutdown would ease the situation for controllers, but the FAA said the flight cuts will remain in place until their safety data improves.—
JOSH FUNK,
Arkansas Online,
8 Nov. 2025
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This spray aims to prevent breakage and ease tension during the braid takedown process by adding softness so hair can easily slide through knots and detangle much faster.—
Caché McClay,
USA Today,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
If confirmed by future research, the approach could provide a powerful new weapon to fight heart disease, the nation's leading killer, freeing people from the need to take statins and other cholesterol-lowering drugs every day.—
NPR,
NPR,
8 Nov. 2025
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No-kill is about giving every pet in a shelter a fair chance and proving that with the right policies and practices in place, managing animal shelters doesn’t require killing dogs and cats simply to free up space.—
Scott Giacoppo,
Boston Herald,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Lawrence is liberated from anything resembling propriety or self-consciousness here.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Owen predicted the coming of a new order that would liberate Americans from their plight.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Isaacs, a Jewish apprentice merchant from England, loosed the rope around his waist and jumped for his life, landing on the edge of the Zulu kingdom.—
Adam L. Rovner,
The Conversation,
31 Oct. 2025
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Illinois will get its share of stops, but the worst passing defense, statistically, in the Big Ten doesn’t have the athletes to compete consistently if the Buckeyes let Sayin loose again.—
Cameron Teague Robinson,
New York Times,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Directed by Paddy Wivell and originally distributed by Fremantle, Hell Jumper tells the story of civilian volunteers risking their lives to rescue people trapped by the war in Ukraine.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
11 Nov. 2025
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The possibility of a season-rescuing win would be front of mind for the Scuderia.—
Alex Kalinauckas,
New York Times,
11 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Loosen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/loosen. Accessed 15 Nov. 2025.
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