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
Over the next 100 years, the rules of fashion loosened a bit.
—
Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2026
National Geographic notes that dandelion roots can loosen compacted ground, improving aeration and reducing erosion.
—Ryan Brennan
may 1, Miami Herald, 1 May 2026
By loosening that structure, dandelions help rainwater penetrate deeper rather than running off the surface.
—Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 1 May 2026
But these efforts struggled to loosen Iran’s grip, which remains deeply embedded.
—Alaa Shahine Salha, semafor.com, 30 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for loosen
Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2026
National Geographic notes that dandelion roots can loosen compacted ground, improving aeration and reducing erosion.
—Ryan Brennan
may 1, Miami Herald, 1 May 2026
By loosening that structure, dandelions help rainwater penetrate deeper rather than running off the surface.
—Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 1 May 2026
But these efforts struggled to loosen Iran’s grip, which remains deeply embedded.
—Alaa Shahine Salha, semafor.com, 30 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for loosen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for loosen
Verb
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The heated chamber was thoughtfully oriented toward the lake for a tranquil water view, which allows Henkemeyer to relax, reflect, and connect with her roots.—
Morgan Goldberg,
Architectural Digest,
8 May 2026
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The rest of her look was similarly relaxed, wearing a red scoop-neck midi dress and black, strappy, studded Miu Miu ballet flats.—
Mykenna Maniece,
Vogue,
8 May 2026
Verb
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The city also hasn’t released a calculation of how many new units would be required if SB 79 ends up affecting 52 bus stops instead of four.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 May 2026
-
No motive has been released, as of Friday afternoon.—
Alexandra Koch,
FOXNews.com,
9 May 2026
Verb
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The departure of tenants unleashed a cascade of financial complications, court files show.—
George Avalos,
Mercury News,
4 May 2026
-
Reaction there to that major Supreme Court ruling this week that has unleashed a new round of mid-decade redistricting after the justices narrowed Section 2 of the 1965 Voting Rights Act.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
3 May 2026
Verb
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This new effort will be known as Golden State Start, as California uses its bulk purchasing power to obtain 40 million high-quality diapers in hopes of easing financial strain for families and supporting infant health by helping parents maintain an adequate supply of clean diapers.—
Noe Padilla,
USA Today,
8 May 2026
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The game stays mostly cloudy, but mild with temperatures gradually easing into the middle 60s by the late innings.—
Steven Sosna,
CBS News,
8 May 2026
Verb
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Zelenskyy said Ukraine’s decision on how to engage with those discussions was shaped in part by the prospect of freeing its prisoners.—
Darlene Superville,
Chicago Tribune,
9 May 2026
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In an emergency filing, state officials said the high court's decision about Louisiana's congressional map should free Alabama from having to use a map that included a second majority-Black district to comply with the civil rights law.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
8 May 2026
Verb
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During the Iraq War, the popular narrative was that our heroic soldiers and marines were going in to liberate the people, free women, and topple a brutal dictator—the same nonsense we are fed now about Iran.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Apr. 2026
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That audience members, by virtue of access to a camera, keyboard, and the Internet, can capture, compile, edit, frame, and package an event as news without any regard to journalistic ethics is liberating and constraining at the same time.—
Shepherd Mpofu,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The ClearBell colony loosing ClearBells like snowflakes into the water.—
Mandy-Suzanne Wong,
Longreads,
5 Feb. 2026
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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
Verb
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Parker and Larsen then went back inside the house to ensure there were no other people inside, and rescued two cats and a dog in the process.—
Lexi Lane,
PEOPLE,
3 May 2026
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Hundreds of beagles rescued from a Wisconsin research lab arrived at Big Dog Ranch Rescue in Loxahatchee Groves on Saturday night and will soon be available for adoption, the rescue posted on Facebook on Sunday.—
Lois K. Solomon,
Sun Sentinel,
3 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Loosen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/loosen. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
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