as in loose
not tightly fastened, tied, or stretched
the loosened nuts finally dropped off of the screws
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in relaxed
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in freed
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 unleashed
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 loosened
Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Aug. 2025
Steve Chapman, Chicago Tribune, 4 Feb. 2026
Travel still isn't recommended, though the rules have loosened a bit on that front, but a travel watch remain in place into Wednesday.
—Jen Guadarrama, IndyStar, 27 Jan. 2026
States and cities that have loosened building constraints are already seeing slower rent growth compared to heavily regulated markets.
—J.d. Hayworth, Boston Herald, 24 Jan. 2026
The state ultimately repressed this uprising, but also loosened some of its rules.
—Nahid Siamdoust, The Atlantic, 23 Jan. 2026
Several states have loosened school vaccine requirements since 2020, and vaccine rates have dropped.
—Amy Maxmen, CBS News, 22 Jan. 2026
Chancellor Friedrich Merz loosened debt laws this year, freeing up cash to boost investment in infrastructure and defense; economists hope the spending spree will result in faster growth this year, but the Bundesbank forecast only a slow recovery.
—Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 19 Jan. 2026
The combination of a coach who has won everywhere he’s been, loosened rules speeding up roster turnover and a newfound commitment in Bloomington has changed the timeline, and not just for Indiana.
—Chris Vannini, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2026
After 30 seconds, pick at the corner of the sticker with your fingernail to see if the heat has loosened it.
—Kate Van Pelt, The Spruce, 15 Jan. 2026
Adjective
Next, carefully remove the bowl from the microwave and use a microfiber cloth to wipe away all the loosened grime.
—Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Aug. 2025
Verb
The Fed loosened anyway — a rational response to the severe downturn — and inflation remained low for years to come.
—Steve Chapman, Chicago Tribune, 4 Feb. 2026
Travel still isn't recommended, though the rules have loosened a bit on that front, but a travel watch remain in place into Wednesday.
—Jen Guadarrama, IndyStar, 27 Jan. 2026
States and cities that have loosened building constraints are already seeing slower rent growth compared to heavily regulated markets.
—J.d. Hayworth, Boston Herald, 24 Jan. 2026
The state ultimately repressed this uprising, but also loosened some of its rules.
—Nahid Siamdoust, The Atlantic, 23 Jan. 2026
Several states have loosened school vaccine requirements since 2020, and vaccine rates have dropped.
—Amy Maxmen, CBS News, 22 Jan. 2026
Chancellor Friedrich Merz loosened debt laws this year, freeing up cash to boost investment in infrastructure and defense; economists hope the spending spree will result in faster growth this year, but the Bundesbank forecast only a slow recovery.
—Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 19 Jan. 2026
The combination of a coach who has won everywhere he’s been, loosened rules speeding up roster turnover and a newfound commitment in Bloomington has changed the timeline, and not just for Indiana.
—Chris Vannini, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2026
After 30 seconds, pick at the corner of the sticker with your fingernail to see if the heat has loosened it.
—Kate Van Pelt, The Spruce, 15 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for loosened
Adjective
-
And in the corner of Hadder’s old office, unguarded and unaccounted for, was a loose pile of guns.—
Rob Picheta,
CNN Money,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Across the central mountains and southern ranges, loose dry avalanches are becoming a more widespread problem.—
Callie Zanandrie,
CBS News,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In 2014, the International Skating Union relaxed its rules to allow words in music, part of a push toward bringing the sport into the modern era.—
Dave Skretta,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Feb. 2026
-
Their posture, in general, was relaxed; their heads were up and their interactions were fluid.—
Daniel Coyle,
Big Think,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Their release followed a Saturday ruling by US District Judge Fred Biery, who ordered that Liam and his father be freed, finding there wasn’t enough probable cause to detain them.—
Hanna Park,
CNN Money,
2 Feb. 2026
-
The comments come after a federal judge ordered over the weekend that the pair be freed.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
2 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Steyer has unleashed a flood of videos advertising his positions, which notably, given his heavy spending, include calling for a ban on campaign giving by corporations and reigning in electrical utility companies to lower costs for Californians.—
Andrew Graham,
Sacbee.com,
4 Feb. 2026
-
These autocrats have watched and learned as Erdoğan has scapegoated various rival groups in his country, branding them shadowy forces unleashed by the American philanthropist George Soros.—
Kaya Genç,
The Dial,
3 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The mysterious Beast of Sugar Flats Road The head of the Beast of Sugar Flats Road looks like something out of a horror movie with its white-yellow fur, blackish skin, slack jaw, missing teeth and glass eyes.—
Craig Shoup,
Nashville Tennessean,
30 Oct. 2025
-
With power diffused among top leaders and their allies in the bureaucracy, party discipline was slack.—
Jonathan A. Czin,
Foreign Affairs,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Today, the pandemic has eased, inflation has cooled, and many workers have been called back to the office.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
7 Feb. 2026
-
So nuclear power—under 20% of the grid—reenters the equation thanks to new technologies, growing bipartisan support, and eased regulatory permitting.—
Jordan Blum,
Fortune,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Key Venezuelan opposition figure Juan Pablo Guanipa was arrested by heavily armed men on Sunday night, his supporters said, just hours after he had been released from a jail where he was held as a political prisoner.—
Diego Mendoza,
CNN Money,
9 Feb. 2026
-
According to a statement released by Bad Bunny’s publicist, the couple had first invited Bad Bunny to attend their wedding but were instead invited to be part of the Apple Music halftime show performance.—
Andrea Flores,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Actress Sarah Hyland favored an undone look for her wedding day hairstyle.—
Shelby Wax,
Vogue,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Arsenal came undone thanks, in part, to two excellent long-range finishes from Patrick Dorgu and Matheus Cunha.—
Carl Anka,
New York Times,
31 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Loosened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/loosened. Accessed 10 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
