as in loose
not tightly fastened, tied, or stretched
the loosened nuts finally dropped off of the screws
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Aug. 2025
David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Oct. 2025
The number of foreign residents has risen sharply in recent years, reaching a record 3 percent of the population in 2024, as Tokyo cautiously loosened visa rules for workers in key industries such as manufacturing, agriculture, and caregiving.
—Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
In September, the Kansas City Council loosened those restrictions for the possibility of a 275-foot tall tower on the former Nordstrom’s site.
—Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 23 Oct. 2025
Their content settings can't be loosened without parental consent.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 20 Oct. 2025
The impact has loosened something around the engine, and now the car’s not quite running right.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 16 Oct. 2025
The change represents a shift in how OpenAI approaches content restrictions, which the company had loosened in February but then dramatically tightened after an August lawsuit from parents of a teen who died by suicide after allegedly receiving encouragement from ChatGPT.
—ArsTechnica, 15 Oct. 2025
Medical and emergency supplies are also pre-positioned now that access restrictions have been loosened.
—Yamiche Alcindor, NBC news, 14 Oct. 2025
The pants come with super-wide legs and an elastic drawstring waistband that can be loosened or tightened depending on your preference.
—Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 7 Oct. 2025
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
That change is possible because California recently loosened its purification rules to allow purified wastewater to be pumped directly into a water system, instead of being stored for months in reservoirs or underground basins.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Oct. 2025
The number of foreign residents has risen sharply in recent years, reaching a record 3 percent of the population in 2024, as Tokyo cautiously loosened visa rules for workers in key industries such as manufacturing, agriculture, and caregiving.
—Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
In September, the Kansas City Council loosened those restrictions for the possibility of a 275-foot tall tower on the former Nordstrom’s site.
—Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 23 Oct. 2025
Their content settings can't be loosened without parental consent.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 20 Oct. 2025
The impact has loosened something around the engine, and now the car’s not quite running right.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 16 Oct. 2025
The change represents a shift in how OpenAI approaches content restrictions, which the company had loosened in February but then dramatically tightened after an August lawsuit from parents of a teen who died by suicide after allegedly receiving encouragement from ChatGPT.
—ArsTechnica, 15 Oct. 2025
Medical and emergency supplies are also pre-positioned now that access restrictions have been loosened.
—Yamiche Alcindor, NBC news, 14 Oct. 2025
The pants come with super-wide legs and an elastic drawstring waistband that can be loosened or tightened depending on your preference.
—Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 7 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for loosened
Adjective
-
The loose fit is perfect for layering, too, and packs down surprisingly well.—
Sophie Dodd,
Travel + Leisure,
26 Oct. 2025
-
That said, shoppers note that the sweater is tight-fitting and recommend sizing up for a looser fit, similar to Paltrow’s knit.—
Melony Forcier,
PEOPLE,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
This is the private person who needs to be relaxed and fully present with the people who matter most.—
Jason BARNARD,
Rolling Stone,
20 Oct. 2025
-
Lamb, on vacation in Hot Springs Village, Arkansas, relaxed on the porch of a cabin and talked with a neighbor who sat on the next-door porch.—
Richard J. Gonzales,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Rhamondre Stevenson continues to run hard, freed (for now) from the demons that followed his fumbling issues early in the season.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
28 Oct. 2025
-
Under his leadership, the project freed 40 innocent people from prison, including former NFL player Brian Banks.—
Carlos Rico,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The quake, centered about 43 miles east of Miyagi Prefecture, unleashed a massive tsunami with waves more than 130 feet high in some areas.—
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
-
But Mahtomedi broke through the low block, and the Zephyrs’ first goal unleashed the floodgates.—
Andrew Cornelius,
Twin Cities,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
With power diffused among top leaders and their allies in the bureaucracy, party discipline was slack.—
Jonathan A. Czin,
Foreign Affairs,
21 Oct. 2025
-
Oscar Bobb seized on a slack pass and led a counter-attack with Haaland and Reijnders on either side.—
Jordan Campbell,
New York Times,
18 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Liverpool eased their Champions League jitters by thrashing Eintracht Frankfurt on Wednesday; now for the Premier League.—
The Athletic UK Staff,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Regular exercise has eased her joint pain, boosted her energy and helped protect her bone health through menopause.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Their name has not yet been released by officials.—
Amy McCarthy,
PEOPLE,
29 Oct. 2025
-
Plans for a fourth film, set to be released in 2011, never crystallized.—
Lauren Huff,
Entertainment Weekly,
28 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Written by Noah Oppenheim, Dynamite is largely a movie about structures and processes and readiness in the face of chaos—and how even the most competent and prepared authorities can still become undone by it.—
Jake Kring-Schreifels,
Time,
27 Oct. 2025
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Glenn ripped himself for allowing his team to come undone after Hall’s fumble.—
Ian O'Connor,
New York Times,
6 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Loosened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/loosened. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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