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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of loosen
Walking can help relieve strain and loosen muscles and joints.
—
Danielle Zickl, Health, 10 Mar. 2026
Trump would not need Congress’ approval to loosen those types of restrictions.
—Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 8 Mar. 2026
The franchise has also joined forces with environmental groups to oppose SB 811, a California bill that critics warn would loosen regulations governing California’s small handful of metal shredders.
—Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 8 Mar. 2026
Inventory loosening up One sign the housing market is loosening is an increasing ratio of sellers to buyers.
—Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 6 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for loosen
Danielle Zickl, Health, 10 Mar. 2026
Trump would not need Congress’ approval to loosen those types of restrictions.
—Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 8 Mar. 2026
The franchise has also joined forces with environmental groups to oppose SB 811, a California bill that critics warn would loosen regulations governing California’s small handful of metal shredders.
—Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 8 Mar. 2026
Inventory loosening up One sign the housing market is loosening is an increasing ratio of sellers to buyers.
—Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 6 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for loosen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for loosen
Verb
-
Instead, use this energy to socialize, relax and explore your creative talents.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
6 Mar. 2026
-
In her free time, Laurie is always looking for new places to relax and recharge in Southern California's beautiful outdoors.—
CBS LA Staff,
CBS News,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Lesli Boese told the judge Thursday that Casap was too dangerous to ever be released from prison.—
Todd Richmond,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
-
The government released thousands more documents in the decades that followed before establishing AARO to investigate sightings and publish reports.—
Danya Gainor,
CNN Money,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Asia’s governments will have to stretch their budgets or risk unleashing an inflation shock as the deepening conflict in the Middle East pushes oil prices past $100 a barrel.—
Claire Jiao,
Bloomberg,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Reporting from Tel Aviv Tehran unleashed a heavy barrage of missile and drone attacks directed at oil facilities across the region, in what Arab officials tell NBC News is a strategy to drive up oil prices to create pressure for a ceasefire.—
Yarden Segev,
NBC news,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Little emphasized the need to ease property taxes in a letter accompanying his signature but criticized Moyle’s approach as rushed and overly complex.—
Mark Dee
March 6,
Idaho Statesman,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Meanwhile, Iranian retaliatory attacks appear to be declining — ballistic missile strikes have fallen by 90% and drone attacks by 83%, according to US Central Command — potentially easing pressure on Gulf states that have faced Iranian strikes in recent days.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
But after restructuring the contracts of quarterback Dak Prescott, wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and offensive lineman Tyler Smith, the team was able to free up $67 million toward the cap in 2026 to get back under the salary cap.—
Nick Harris
March 6,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Doing so would free up $254 million — in a tight budget year — for a $2,500 teacher pay raise, extra school funding, expanded private school tax credits and more, Senate leaders said.—
Nuria Martinez-Keel,
Oklahoma Voice,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
As Liu tells it, the insight that liberated her didn’t have to do with skating at all.—
Natasha O'Neill,
Vanity Fair,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Chicago visitors will also see items never before displayed publicly, including a letter Anne’s father, Otto Frank, wrote in 1945, after being liberated from Auschwitz.—
Eva Remijan-Toba,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
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
-
Within two minutes, Phoenix police arrived at the scene, taking the woman into custody and rescuing the child.—
Sydney Page The Washington Post,
Arkansas Online,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Officials in Farmington Hills said their fire department rescued people who were trapped in their vehicles due to flooding.—
Nick Lentz,
CBS News,
7 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Loosen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/loosen. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
