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
Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2026
The day when everything around her began to shake and the lumps that embraced her loosened their grip and the tool tossed her through the air, she was spared from being sliced in two by the metal edge.
—María Ospina, The Dial, 31 Mar. 2026
Meanwhile, the administration has given billions of dollars in tax cuts to corporations and the wealthy and loosened regulations on banks while easing rules around cryptocurrency.
—Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 24 Mar. 2026
Seven of those states loosened their relicensing policies during that time.
—Joel Rose, NPR, 23 Mar. 2026
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
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
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
For Americans chasing a Canadian passport, the rules may have loosened but the red tape hasn’t.
—Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2026
The day when everything around her began to shake and the lumps that embraced her loosened their grip and the tool tossed her through the air, she was spared from being sliced in two by the metal edge.
—María Ospina, The Dial, 31 Mar. 2026
Meanwhile, the administration has given billions of dollars in tax cuts to corporations and the wealthy and loosened regulations on banks while easing rules around cryptocurrency.
—Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 24 Mar. 2026
Seven of those states loosened their relicensing policies during that time.
—Joel Rose, NPR, 23 Mar. 2026
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for loosened
Adjective
-
Step-by-Step Instructions Brush off any loose dirt or debris using a soft brush.—
Olivia McIntosh,
Martha Stewart,
10 Apr. 2026
-
On the other side of the scale is the danger of another Marshall fire, which investigators said was caused in part by a blaze that ignited near part of Xcel’s distribution system when a power line became loose and set parched vegetation on fire.—
Judith Kohler,
Denver Post,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
While the Premier League has theoretically relaxed restrictions following Manchester City’s legal challenges, UEFA rules over APTs remain more prohibitive.—
Chris Waugh,
New York Times,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Camila experiences it while getting high, or at least relaxed, a steady stream of joints helping to reduce her anxiety.—
Bill Goodykoontz,
AZCentral.com,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Kittleson was freed in the afternoon, said the official, who spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to comment publicly.—
Qassim Abdul-Zahra,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Apr. 2026
-
The day after his arrest, a Suffolk County district judge freed Corte-Corte on supervised release with a GPS monitor, the New York Post reported.—
Greg Norman-Diamond,
FOXNews.com,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Geneva School three-sport standout Duke Carpenter (football, basketball, track) unleashed a personal best 175-feet, 11-inches throw for third in the discus.—
Buddy Collings,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Suarez unleashed a loud roar, pumped both fists, and was swarmed by his jubilant (and relieved) teammates.—
Michelle Kaufman
April 7,
Miami Herald,
7 Apr. 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
-
Taubel believes some of the supply problems have eased as early cultivator licensees' initial plants have fully grown and are cultivated.—
Caroline Cummings,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Oil prices eased slightly during the day, but still remain elevated well above $100 per barrel.—
Damian J. Troise,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Individual awards such as Player of the Year, Offensive Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, Newcomer of the Year and Coach of the Year will be released throughout the week.—
Charles Baggarly
April 6,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Captain has been released from jail after a judge set bail at $250,000, and he is set to enter a plea on April 9, court records show.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
6 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Voyer points out how this shift surfaced on the Fall/Winter 2026-2027 runways, where brands like Gucci (bodycon dresses and stilettos) and 7 For All Mankind (hi-low hemlines and satin minidresses), embraced a more undone, after-dark energy.—
Angela Velasquez,
Footwear News,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Style with a slight bend, like Emma Stone at the 2026 Golden Globes, for a look that’s both undone and polished.—
Jeanne Ballion,
Vogue,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Loosened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/loosened. Accessed 12 Apr. 2026.
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