Synonyms of loosen

loosen

verb

ˈlü-sᵊn 

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

• relax
• ease
• detach
• slack
• slacken
• undo
• untie
• unfasten
• free
• unbind

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• tension
• tighten
• stretch
• tense
• bind
• attach
• strain
• tie
• restrain
• fasten
• constrain

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

• release
• free
• liberate
• loose
• rescue
• save
• emancipate
• unbind
• enlarge
• turn loose
• spring
• enfranchise
• unfetter
• unchain
• manumit
• discharge
• uncage
• disenthrall
• extricate
• disengage
• bail (out)
• redeem
• ransom
• parole
• disentangle
• deliver
• unshackle
• disencumber
• disembarrass

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• restrain
• bind
• confine
• fetter
• shackle
• handcuff
• jail
• enchain
• commit
• imprison
• lock (up)
• incarcerate
• subdue
• subjugate
• enslave
• conquer
• trammel
• manacle
• intern
• immure

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

• unleash
• release
• unlock
• loose
• unloose
• let go
• uncork
• express
• unloosen
• liberate
• emancipate
• air
• unbind
• unshackle
• spring
• free
• enfranchise
• unfetter
• manumit
• unchain
• unmoor
• uncage
• vent
• discharge
• take out

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• hold
• regulate
• restrain
• control
• govern
• check
• contain
• inhibit
• constrain
• curb
• tame
• smother
• rein (in)
• bind
• confine
• bridle
• shackle
• handcuff
• hamper
• manacle
• trammel
• fetter
• enchain
• halter

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of loosen

The calls heap pressure on the coalition government to loosen its purse strings, threatening to undermine its reputation for fiscal discipline just as Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana prepares to present his three-year fiscal plan later this month. — Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 7 Oct. 2026

Over time these requirements loosened, and in 2025 the FDA ended mandatory blood testing in conjunction with clozapine use. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 Oct. 2026

My family had the same set for at least 20 years before the screws loosened past the point of no return. — Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 6 Oct. 2026

The service is launching as a pilot program with gradually loosening physician oversight. — Emma Roth, The Verge, 5 Oct. 2026

Phrases Containing loosen

• loosen (up)
• loosen up