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
Austin Sarat, The Conversation, 4 June 2026
These cities loosened their zoning laws and other restrictions in recent years to build housing, helping bring down rents.
—Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 4 June 2026
Travel costs are climbing, remote work has loosened the rules on where and how long people can roam, and a growing share of travelers are deciding that a stranger’s spare bedroom — or entire home — beats another $400-a-night hotel.
—Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 June 2026
The mother-of-pearl buttons have an expensive, classy look and haven’t loosened with wear.
—Irene Richardson, InStyle, 1 June 2026
The reins were loosened and the horse began to gallop and flare its nostrils.
—Amy Lawrence, New York Times, 31 May 2026
That decade, Serie A loosened its prohibition on foreigners, setting quotas that allowed three foreign players per club by 1988.
—Albert Samaha, New Yorker, 30 May 2026
The cabin hadn’t changed, but the reins had been loosened.
—Joe Soucheray, Twin Cities, 30 May 2026
The coroner said that Winger was dining on the restaurant's patio with her husband when a strong gust of wind loosened an umbrella from a table and struck the woman.
—David Chiu, PEOPLE, 25 May 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
In 1894, Will Purvis’ hanging also failed when the noose loosened.
—Austin Sarat, The Conversation, 4 June 2026
These cities loosened their zoning laws and other restrictions in recent years to build housing, helping bring down rents.
—Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 4 June 2026
Travel costs are climbing, remote work has loosened the rules on where and how long people can roam, and a growing share of travelers are deciding that a stranger’s spare bedroom — or entire home — beats another $400-a-night hotel.
—Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 June 2026
The mother-of-pearl buttons have an expensive, classy look and haven’t loosened with wear.
—Irene Richardson, InStyle, 1 June 2026
The reins were loosened and the horse began to gallop and flare its nostrils.
—Amy Lawrence, New York Times, 31 May 2026
That decade, Serie A loosened its prohibition on foreigners, setting quotas that allowed three foreign players per club by 1988.
—Albert Samaha, New Yorker, 30 May 2026
The cabin hadn’t changed, but the reins had been loosened.
—Joe Soucheray, Twin Cities, 30 May 2026
The coroner said that Winger was dining on the restaurant's patio with her husband when a strong gust of wind loosened an umbrella from a table and struck the woman.
—David Chiu, PEOPLE, 25 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for loosened
Adjective
-
Snell underwent surgery 10 days ago to remove loose bodies from his left elbow.—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
30 May 2026
-
The loose sand was taxing and forced us off our bikes several times, slowing our momentum.—
Patrick Connolly,
The Orlando Sentinel,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
As with every suite, furnishings are designed by Urquiola to be relaxed, neutral, and comfortable, keeping your attention firmly on the magnificent location.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
This maxi skirt is another versatile warm-weather staple — it's relaxed for daytime, but easy to dress up with simple accessories for evening plans.—
Tanya Sharma,
PEOPLE,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
In some ways this is like many postcolonial nations in the Global South, although Norway’s claims to being a postcolonial country recently freed from the shackles of foreign domination are difficult to sustain in the face of its treatment of indigenous people like the Sámi.—
Ola Morris Innset,
The Dial,
2 June 2026
-
At least one person who had been held was freed, police told reporters at the scene.—
Dennis Romero,
NBC news,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
Fans carried brooms through Manhattan streets in anticipation of a Cavaliers sweep, climbed atop traffic lights while NYPD officers ordered them down and unleashed the kind of basketball pandemonium New York has waited decades to experience again.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
3 June 2026
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Our star just unleashed three powerful solar flares in less than 24 hours and potentially sending multiple coronal mass ejections (CMEs) hurtling toward Earth, raising the chances of northern lights displays this week.—
Daisy Dobrijevic,
Space.com,
3 June 2026
Adjective
-
And those problems are magnified in the slack middle section of this 160-minute film, as the hunters make discoveries of their own in the forest, unnecessary subplots and aliens multiply, and there are some halfhearted attempts at giving them a thin backstory.—
Jessica Kiang,
Variety,
17 May 2026
-
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
Verb
-
That eased pressure on oil prices.—
Damian J. Troise,
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 2026
-
Furthermore, patients' thinking and cognitive abilities remained largely unchanged, even as the rest of their symptoms eased.—
Dario Sabaghi,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
The victims were identified as Robert Shine, 69; John Carse, 69; and a 79-year-old man whose name was not released pending notification of family.—
Marlene Lenthang,
NBC news,
1 June 2026
-
Around 50 workers have been killed by Israeli fire, and more than 38,000 have been arrested, though many were later released, the official Palestinian WAFA news agency reported Sunday, citing the General Federation of Palestinian Trade Unions.—
Samy Magdy,
Los Angeles Times,
1 June 2026
Adjective
-
Thin ties dropped from the neckline of the bohemian-leaning silhouette, giving the dress a slightly undone finish against the high-shine black heels.—
Maggie Clancy,
Footwear News,
6 June 2026
-
All of these cuts favor a natural, undone finish.—
Elle Turner,
Glamour,
6 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Loosened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/loosened. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
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