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
Tips For Cleaning Your Garbage Disposal To keep garbage disposals smelling fresh, Schrader recommends this method for his clients:
Start by running hot water and some dish soap through it first to help loosen the greasy layer.
—
Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 17 June 2025
Both may have put him in opposition to Trump, who wants to loosen regulations to boost the nuclear industry and eliminate diversity initiatives across government.
—ArsTechnica, 16 June 2025
The proposal comes as the administration is seeking to loosen protections overall under the Endangered Species Act, particularly with respect to restrictions on damage to habitats.
—Rachel Frazin, The Hill, 16 June 2025
The screws designed to secure each leg can loosen over time, especially under pressure from a child leaning or pushing.
—Annabelle Canela, Parents, 16 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for loosen
Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 17 June 2025
Both may have put him in opposition to Trump, who wants to loosen regulations to boost the nuclear industry and eliminate diversity initiatives across government.
—ArsTechnica, 16 June 2025
The proposal comes as the administration is seeking to loosen protections overall under the Endangered Species Act, particularly with respect to restrictions on damage to habitats.
—Rachel Frazin, The Hill, 16 June 2025
The screws designed to secure each leg can loosen over time, especially under pressure from a child leaning or pushing.
—Annabelle Canela, Parents, 16 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for loosen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for loosen
Verb
-
Young visitors will enjoy the splash pad and water slide, while guests ages 18 and older are welcome to relax in the quiet adults-only pool and hot tub.—
Patrick Connolly,
The Orlando Sentinel,
27 June 2025
-
The 67-foot pool is stunning, and relaxing in the hydro-vitality tub will melt stress away.—
Rona Berg,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2025
Verb
-
Following his hearing Wednesday, Sayer was released on $150,000 bond into home detention with location monitoring.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
27 June 2025
-
Blanchard was released from prison in December 2023, after serving eight years of her 10-year sentence, and her parole ended on June 24, 2025.—
Michael Nied,
People.com,
27 June 2025
Verb
-
Fewer rules and pages translate to less red tape and less stifling of innovation, potentially unleashing fresh economic dynamism.—
Clyde Wayne Crews Jr,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
-
The 24-year-old can also unleash a bullet with her left foot, as demonstrated by her screamer against Wales in 2021, her first goal for France.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
30 June 2025
Verb
-
In recent weeks, Trump has rolled back some of his steepest levies, easing costs imposed upon companies and alleviating concern about a sharp surge of inflation.—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
27 June 2025
-
Ultimately, mastering this approach not only enhances your sales performance but positions your company among the industry's top-tier, significantly easing future recruitment and fueling sustainable growth.—
Ryan Hohman,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2025
Verb
-
But the pending Senate bill keeps the door wide open, effectively freeing very wealthy business owners from any cap on their SALT deductions.—
Howard Gleckman,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
-
Protests in Israel also resumed after a two-week pause during the Israel-Iran war, with demonstrators demanding a deal that would free the hostages still in Gaza.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
30 June 2025
Verb
-
Their freedom came more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln liberated slaves in the Confederacy by signing the Emancipation Proclamation during the Civil War.—
Ani Freedman,
Fortune,
20 June 2025
-
Two-and-a-half years after Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, the enslaved people of Texas learned — via the victorious Union Army — that they were liberated.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
19 June 2025
Verb
-
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
-
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
Verb
-
An officer said the man was dehydrated, confused and scared when he was rescued, according to WBZ.—
Jillian Frankel,
People.com,
30 June 2025
-
Both individuals were promptly rescued from the water, Disney officials said.—
Isabel van Brugen,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Loosen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/loosen. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share