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
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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
Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 19 Mar. 2026
Naloxone became widely available, restrictions on medications for opioid use disorder loosened, and communities educated people on the risks of fentanyl.
—Grey Gardner, Oc Register, 15 Mar. 2026
Rules for hardship withdrawals have loosened in recent years.
—Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 12 Mar. 2026
And yet, in California, even though the laws have been loosened, the houses have not come.
—Rogé Karma, The Atlantic, 12 Mar. 2026
Except this is what happened with the Maple Leafs goalie pulled, because that structure of everyone being in the house loosened a tiny bit for a moment, allowing Matthews to saucer a puck to John Tavares in the heart of the slot.
—Arpon Basu, New York Times, 11 Mar. 2026
Risotto is best served immediately, but leftovers can be loosened with hot liquid and reheated gently on the stove, or used to make arancini.
—Carla Lalli Music, Bon Appetit Magazine, 10 Mar. 2026
In the past, Iranian leaders have loosened certain social restrictions after major crises to ease domestic pressure.
—Imtiaz Tyab, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2026
However, if Mars has its own defenses, then things might be a little less worrisome from a planetary protection perspective, and constraints on future missions could be loosened.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 4 Mar. 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
Verb
Still, Washington’s custodianship has loosened the grip of hardliners.
—Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 19 Mar. 2026
Naloxone became widely available, restrictions on medications for opioid use disorder loosened, and communities educated people on the risks of fentanyl.
—Grey Gardner, Oc Register, 15 Mar. 2026
Rules for hardship withdrawals have loosened in recent years.
—Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 12 Mar. 2026
And yet, in California, even though the laws have been loosened, the houses have not come.
—Rogé Karma, The Atlantic, 12 Mar. 2026
Except this is what happened with the Maple Leafs goalie pulled, because that structure of everyone being in the house loosened a tiny bit for a moment, allowing Matthews to saucer a puck to John Tavares in the heart of the slot.
—Arpon Basu, New York Times, 11 Mar. 2026
Risotto is best served immediately, but leftovers can be loosened with hot liquid and reheated gently on the stove, or used to make arancini.
—Carla Lalli Music, Bon Appetit Magazine, 10 Mar. 2026
In the past, Iranian leaders have loosened certain social restrictions after major crises to ease domestic pressure.
—Imtiaz Tyab, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2026
However, if Mars has its own defenses, then things might be a little less worrisome from a planetary protection perspective, and constraints on future missions could be loosened.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 4 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for loosened
Adjective
-
Joshua’s Carson Kilcoin tried to corral a bounding loose ball in the South Hills’ goalkeeper box, but was only able to dribble it forward.—
Darren Lauber,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
21 Mar. 2026
-
Those include Mexico's Sinaloa cartel as well as the Cartel de los soles, or Cartel of the Suns, a term used to describe a loose network of corrupt, high-ranking military officers in neighboring Venezuela.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In this case, relaxed white jeans—instead of the usual blue or indigo—brighten up a dark palette.—
India Roby,
Glamour,
17 Mar. 2026
-
Downstairs, Dive has relaxed vibes with arcade games, music, and fun cocktails.—
Morgan Rizzo,
Travel + Leisure,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Leqaa Kordia, a Palestinian woman who was detained by immigration agents for protesting at Columbia University, was freed on a $100,000 bond after spending one year in custody in Texas.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
18 Mar. 2026
-
The individual was freed using hydraulic tools within minutes, according to fire officials.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The surge in crude prices unleashed by the Middle East conflict upends that and piles further pressure on the public finances.—
Ian King,
CNBC,
18 Mar. 2026
-
The loss of books is minor, almost trivial, in light of all the horrors and violence unleashed by this senseless war, but the potential loss of these books is a sad reminder that we’re all affected and implicated in America’s savage flailings.—
James Folta,
Literary Hub,
17 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
But what happens when the detox is over and the chorus of text pings, slack dings and social media notifications swells throughout the rest of the year?—
Deborah Vankin,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Jan. 2026
-
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
Verb
-
His administration has already promised to release the nation’s oil reserves to relieve pressure and has eased sanctions on Russian oil, to the consternation of European leaders.—
Mabinty Quarshie,
The Washington Examiner,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Those doubts have eased now that Pope Francis is playing to its potential.—
Tom Mulherin,
Boston Herald,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Magen David Adom, Israel's rescue service, released video showing a large crater in a street and shrapnel damage to an apartment building.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Here’s the 2026 NCAA Tournament men’s basketball bracket, released Sunday, March 15, 2026.—
Staff report,
Oc Register,
16 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The netting appeared to be unraveling at her sleeves and hemline, giving the gown a slightly more undone aesthetic.—
Lara Walsh,
InStyle,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Scientists no longer with the agency talk about the work left undone.—
Daniel Wine,
CNN Money,
9 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Loosened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/loosened. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.
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