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
The city has loosened the requirements to work at some small, shallow pools.
—
Alyce McFadden, New York Times, 25 May 2025
If the agency evaluates mifepristone again, and its staff are allowed to independently assess the science, the FDA could loosen its rules for mifepristone even more, Elizabeth Raymond, an ob-gyn and a researcher who specializes in mifepristone safety, told me.
—Keren Landman, The Atlantic, 24 May 2025
As demand for air travel softens, airlines are slashing fares, trimming routes and loosening pricing strategies to fill seats.
—Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 May 2025
To make Chicago work, the Bears needed to offer far more skin in the game, which meant loosening familial ownership and picking a different site.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for loosen
Alyce McFadden, New York Times, 25 May 2025
If the agency evaluates mifepristone again, and its staff are allowed to independently assess the science, the FDA could loosen its rules for mifepristone even more, Elizabeth Raymond, an ob-gyn and a researcher who specializes in mifepristone safety, told me.
—Keren Landman, The Atlantic, 24 May 2025
As demand for air travel softens, airlines are slashing fares, trimming routes and loosening pricing strategies to fill seats.
—Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 May 2025
To make Chicago work, the Bears needed to offer far more skin in the game, which meant loosening familial ownership and picking a different site.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for loosen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for loosen
Verb
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The lounge is outfitted with a luxurious sofa to relax in.—
Kimberley Mok,
Travel + Leisure,
3 June 2025
-
Tusk had promised to relax both bans, but they are supported by some of the more socially conservative lawmakers propping up his government, and the threat of a presidential veto likely renders any efforts at persuasion futile.—
Rob Picheta,
CNN Money,
2 June 2025
Verb
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Similarly, the requirement for iPadOS 16 means the latest YouTube update won’t run on the iPad Air 2 (released in 2014) and iPad mini 4, first sold in 2015.—
David Phelan,
Forbes.com,
3 June 2025
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After releasing a mobile version of Photoshop on iPhone earlier this year, the promised Android release has finally arrived.—
Stephen Clark – Jun 3,
ArsTechnica,
3 June 2025
Verb
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Eventually Trump let slip that he was disappointed in his former adviser, prompting Musk to unleash a flood of insults and taunts.—
Chris Megerian,
Chicago Tribune,
6 June 2025
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The remarks refer to a sweeping campaign unleashed by Xi with an aim to purge religious faiths of foreign influence and align them more closely with traditional Chinese culture – and the authoritarian rule of the officially atheist Communist Party.—
Nectar Gan,
CNN Money,
6 June 2025
Verb
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Faced with growing international pressure, Israel eased its blockade two weeks ago, allowing a small amount of aid to enter Gaza, to be distributed through UN channels as well as through GHF.—
Mostafa Salem,
CNN Money,
3 June 2025
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That same year, the FDA further eased several conditions with respect to the prescribing and sale of mifepristone.—
Joshua P. Cohen,
Forbes.com,
3 June 2025
Verb
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With its easy setup and free unlimited storage, family members can instantly share photos from anywhere.—
Jené Luciani Sena
may earn a commission if you buy through our referral links. This content was created by a team that works independently from the Fox newsroom.,
FOXNews.com,
7 June 2025
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Experts agree that the new political landscape has freed up states to explore other methods that may have struggled to hold up under a more liberal court.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
6 June 2025
Verb
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The same technology that could liberate human curiosity could just as easily extinguish it.—
Cornelia C. Walther,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2025
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By the end of the session in August, Congress codified a process for Butler-like actions by army officers to assume jurisdiction over any enslaved people who liberated themselves by sneaking into Union lines.—
Zaakir Tameez
June 11,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2025
Verb
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Also, though, NIL and transfer portal has loosed college coaches (UCLA) who ‘embolden’ QB Dads by luring kids/families to leave for even more money.—
Joe Rexrode,
New York Times,
29 May 2025
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Ro has loosed them upon the galaxy, striking fear into the heart of even the most stalwart Jedi.—
Dalton Ross,
EW.com,
29 May 2025
Verb
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But Brad Marchand rescued the Panthers with the Marchand Miracle, a goal in the second overtime for a 5-4 road win and 1-1 series heading back to South Florida for Game 3 Monday night.—
Greg Cote,
Miami Herald,
8 June 2025
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The Oscar winner and nominee, respectively, star as Kevin McKay and Mary Ludwig, a bus driver and a teacher, who helped rescue a bus full of children.—
McKinley Franklin,
HollywoodReporter,
8 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Loosen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/loosen. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.
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