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loosen

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of 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 of loosen

ease, relax, slack, slacken
Words Related to loosen

detach, free, unbind, undo, unfasten, untie
Near Antonyms of loosen

attach, bind, fasten, tie

constrain, restrain
Antonyms of loosen

strain, stretch, tense, tension, tighten
2 to set free (as from slavery or confinement)
  • The dentist loosened the impacted wisdom tooth from the gum.
Synonyms of loosen

discharge, disenthrall (also disenthral), emancipate, enfranchise, enlarge, free, liberate, loose, manumit, release, spring, unbind, uncage, unchain, unfetter
Words Related to loosen

bail (out), deliver, parole, ransom, redeem, rescue, save

adrift, disembarrass, disencumber, disengage, disentangle, extricate

unshackle
Phrases Synonymous with loosen

turn loose
Near Antonyms of loosen

handcuff, manacle, shackle, trammel

commit, immure, imprison, incarcerate, intern, jail, lock (up)

conquer, enslave, subdue, subjugate
Antonyms of loosen

bind, confine, enchain, fetter, restrain
3 to set free (from a state of being held in check)
  • Once he got to know us better, his inhibitions loosened a bit.
Synonyms of loosen

loose, release, uncork, unleash, unlock, unloose, unloosen
Words Related to loosen

discharge, emancipate, enfranchise, free, liberate, manumit, spring, unbind, uncage, unchain, unfetter, unmoor, unshackle

air, express, vent
Phrases Synonymous with loosen

let go
Near Antonyms of loosen

handcuff, manacle, shackle, trammel

bind, confine, enchain, fetter

halter, hamper
Antonyms of loosen

bridle, check, constrain, contain, control, curb, govern, hold, inhibit, regulate, rein (in), restrain, smother, tame

Learn More about loosen

  1. Dictionary: Definition of loosen Spanish Central: Translation of loosen Nglish: Translation of loosen for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of loosen for Arabic speakers

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