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
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Recent Examples of loosened
Bloomberg, Oc Register, 24 Feb. 2026
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
The board’s Budget and Legislative Analyst said the loosened contracting rules could apply to more than $1 billion in government spending.
—J.d. Morris, San Francisco Chronicle, 29 Jan. 2025
Ira Gorawara, New York Times, 15 May 2026
Instead, the administration has loosened guidelines on drinking and slashed efforts to understand alcohol addiction, prevent more of it, and help people find a way out.
—Lev Facher, STAT, 12 May 2026
Over the next 100 years, the rules of fashion loosened a bit.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2026
The Supreme Court loosened a provision of the Voting Rights Act that restricted redrawing congressional districts on the basis of race.
—Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 29 Apr. 2026
Microsoft remains the primary partner, but the grip has loosened.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 27 Apr. 2026
As crises have accumulated in the decade since, the hoodie’s tight connection to anti-Black violence seems to have loosened.
—Dawn Chan, The New York Review of Books, 25 Apr. 2026
Plus, the straps can be tightened or loosened to your liking.
—Emily Weaver, PEOPLE, 16 Apr. 2026
His hands of steel loosened my back with oils, and various stones like hot and salt.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Apr. 2026
Adjective
For now, though, Detroit’s automakers are leaning into the lucre that comes from selling millions of fossil-fuel vehicles in a rare moment of loosened regulation.
—Bloomberg, Oc Register, 24 Feb. 2026
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
The board’s Budget and Legislative Analyst said the loosened contracting rules could apply to more than $1 billion in government spending.
—J.d. Morris, San Francisco Chronicle, 29 Jan. 2025
Verb
Still, basketball never truly loosened its hold.
—Ira Gorawara, New York Times, 15 May 2026
Instead, the administration has loosened guidelines on drinking and slashed efforts to understand alcohol addiction, prevent more of it, and help people find a way out.
—Lev Facher, STAT, 12 May 2026
Over the next 100 years, the rules of fashion loosened a bit.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2026
The Supreme Court loosened a provision of the Voting Rights Act that restricted redrawing congressional districts on the basis of race.
—Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 29 Apr. 2026
Microsoft remains the primary partner, but the grip has loosened.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 27 Apr. 2026
As crises have accumulated in the decade since, the hoodie’s tight connection to anti-Black violence seems to have loosened.
—Dawn Chan, The New York Review of Books, 25 Apr. 2026
Plus, the straps can be tightened or loosened to your liking.
—Emily Weaver, PEOPLE, 16 Apr. 2026
His hands of steel loosened my back with oils, and various stones like hot and salt.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for loosened
Adjective
-
During an appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show, the actress, 79, wore a loose blouse and loafers with a pair of pinstripe slacks, which added a posh twist to her look.—
Rylee Johnston,
PEOPLE,
16 May 2026
-
Secure loose outdoor items and adjust plans as necessary so you’re not caught outside.—
Southern California Weather Report,
Daily News,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
Wood is said to be keen to prioritize other writing, while the BBC was relaxed about moving on from the series.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
11 May 2026
-
The wide-leg pants are relaxed without looking sloppy and the zip-up jacket comes in handy when the plane or a cafe suddenly feels like a refrigerator.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
10 May 2026
Verb
-
Later that month she was freed.—
Jade le Deley,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2026
-
While his son and his friend continued their daylong wait for him just outside, the refugee was freed, only to be detained and taken to a Homeland Security facility.—
Dan Barry,
New York Times,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
In the aftermath of the BAFTA Film Awards, the BBC created a new set of protocols, which now need to be unleashed without a hitch as the public broadcaster bids to avoid a repeat of the disaster.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
8 May 2026
-
And in 2023, Euphoria creator Sam Levinson unleashed his divisive follow-up The Idol on the French.—
Savannah Walsh,
Vanity Fair,
8 May 2026
Adjective
-
Having replaced McGinn, Sancho was still settling into the game’s pace, but was markedly slack in possession.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
20 Apr. 2026
-
That’s why trains have a trick called slack action.—
Rhett Allain,
Wired News,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Leeds saw no problem in agreeing a plan which eased him in and gradually built his minutes instead of, for example, throwing him into 90 minutes away at Arsenal on August 23.—
Beren Cross,
New York Times,
17 May 2026
-
Tim David’s 12-ball 28 included two sixes as Bengaluru eased past 200 with 65 runs off the last five overs.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 May 2026
Verb
-
Because of that, that black carbon has about 540 times bigger climate effect than black carbon that's released from surface sources like ships, cars and power plants.—
Tereza Pultarova,
Space.com,
18 May 2026
-
An online portal with information about when books will be released resembles a Wall Street trader’s screen, displaying data, charts and specialized software that tracks the book market.—
Adeel Hassan,
New York Times,
18 May 2026
Adjective
-
Acting as an easy alternative to trousers, the skirt instantly softens tailoring and lends a more undone, modern feel to suiting.—
Lauren Fisher,
Footwear News,
15 May 2026
-
Opt for Structure Versus Slouchy When used as accent seating in adult spaces like living rooms, reading corners, bedrooms, and libraries, Button recommends sticking with beanbags with some structure and squarer shapes to avoid an overly undone look.—
Cori Sears,
Better Homes & Gardens,
12 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Loosened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/loosened. Accessed 19 May. 2026.
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