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
Idaho’s 1-to-6 ratio for infants remains in place, but the ratios were loosened for all older children.
—
Rachel Cohen, Vox, 17 Apr. 2025
Compliance Gets Hyperlocal There is a tendency when reading headlines about sweeping changes to major regulatory initiatives to look only at the top-line effects — federal regulation is loosening — and the assumption that this will make compliance less burdensome.
—Mary Foley, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025
In practice, the Trump administration’s move could loosen restrictions for industrial activities that could damage the habitat of an endangered animal — if the action may not directly hurt the animal itself.
—Rachel Frazin, The Hill, 16 Apr. 2025
Grey's Anatomy's vice-like grip on the medical drama genre is loosening with The Pitt, a thrilling and impeccably researched new Max series set in a Pittsburgh emergency room.
—Randall Colburn, EW.com, 11 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for loosen
Rachel Cohen, Vox, 17 Apr. 2025
Compliance Gets Hyperlocal There is a tendency when reading headlines about sweeping changes to major regulatory initiatives to look only at the top-line effects — federal regulation is loosening — and the assumption that this will make compliance less burdensome.
—Mary Foley, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025
In practice, the Trump administration’s move could loosen restrictions for industrial activities that could damage the habitat of an endangered animal — if the action may not directly hurt the animal itself.
—Rachel Frazin, The Hill, 16 Apr. 2025
Grey's Anatomy's vice-like grip on the medical drama genre is loosening with The Pitt, a thrilling and impeccably researched new Max series set in a Pittsburgh emergency room.
—Randall Colburn, EW.com, 11 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for loosen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for loosen
Verb
-
The Private Office is also a comfortable space to relax, spread out and inspire creativity.—
Scotty Reiss,
Forbes.com,
28 Apr. 2025
-
Progressive Muscle Relaxation Progressive muscle relaxation involves slowly tensing and then relaxing different muscle groups in the body, one at a time.—
Lindsay Curtis,
Health,
27 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
August reservations will be released on July 1 and so on.—
Eve Chen,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2025
-
No other information about the incident was released.—
David Matthews,
New York Daily News,
29 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The games at the Coliseum should be high-octane with the Unicorns set to unleash a squad brimming with youthful talent.—
Tristan Lavalette,
Forbes.com,
23 Apr. 2025
-
As a result, players are rewarded for playing well by earning more AP and being able to unleash flashier special attacks.—
George Yang,
Rolling Stone,
23 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Hygge practices also promote mindfulness, anchoring you in the present and easing symptoms of burnout and seasonal affective disorder (SAD).—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
28 Apr. 2025
-
The overall unemployment rate for the working-age population in cities eased slightly to 5.2% in March from a two-year high of 5.4% in February.—
Evelyn Cheng,Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
28 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The titular daughter, Marya Zaleska, is also a vampire who believes that destroying Dracula’s body will free her of her vampirism.—
James Factora,
Them.,
2 May 2025
-
In a team which has dominated possession and territory, Firpo has been effectively freed of any defensive duties.—
Beren Cross,
New York Times,
1 May 2025
Verb
-
Another endangered fish, northern tidewater gobies, were rescued from the same watershed shortly before the steelhead were liberated.—
Lila Seidman,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Apr. 2025
-
Just as my ancient and modern ancestors found freedom from oppression, so can each of us be liberated from today’s challenges by crafting a future built on deeds of lovingkindness.—
Maria Zimina,
New York Daily News,
20 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Unsurprisingly, markets and investors are loosing their patience with BP.—
Gaurav Sharma,
Forbes.com,
20 Apr. 2025
-
In the fall of 1982, Love Child receives its title and is loosed into theaters, only to vanish a few weeks later.—
Matthew Specktor,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Sep. 2019
Verb
-
On Friday, May 2, the five people were rescued after the small plane was found by local fishermen in Bolivia's Amazonas region around 48 hours after the aircraft was reported missing, Bolivian news outlets La Razón and Red Uno and BBC News reported.—
Escher Walcott,
People.com,
3 May 2025
-
These good samaritans often crack cold cases and use dogs, drones and helicopters to rescue everyone from natural disaster victims to missing children.—
N'dea Yancey-Bragg,
USA Today,
3 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Loosen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/loosen. Accessed 7 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share