Synonyms of loosened

loosened 1 of 2

adjective

as in loose

not tightly fastened, tied, or stretched

the loosened nuts finally dropped off of the screws

Synonyms & Similar Words

• loose
• slack
• relaxed
• undone
• detached
• slackened
• lax
• unsecured
• insecure
• untied
• unbound
• unfastened
• unattached
• free
• baggy
• saggy
• blousy

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• tight
• taut
• tense
• restrained
• constrained
• bound
• attached
• tied
• firm
• stuck
• fast
• fastened
• jammed
• wedged
• snug

loosened

2 of 2

verb

past tense of loosen

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

• relaxed
• eased
• slackened
• detached
• slacked
• untied
• undid
• freed
• unfastened
• unbound

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• tightened
• stretched
• attached
• bound
• tied
• strained
• fastened
• tensed
• tensioned
• restrained
• constrained

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

• freed
• released
• liberated
• rescued
• loosed
• saved
• enlarged
• sprang
• emancipated
• turned loose
• enfranchised
• unbound
• manumitted
• discharged
• unchained
• disenthralled
• unfettered
• uncaged
• paroled
• bailed (out)
• extricated
• ransomed
• redeemed
• disengaged
• disentangled
• delivered
• unshackled
• disencumbered
• disembarrassed

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• bound
• confined
• restrained
• fettered
• shackled
• handcuffed
• imprisoned
• enchained
• locked (up)
• committed
• incarcerated
• jailed
• interned
• manacled
• subdued
• conquered
• subjugated
• trammeled
• enslaved
• immured

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

• unleashed
• released
• unloosed
• loosed
• unlocked
• unloosened
• uncorked
• let go
• expressed
• liberated
• aired
• unshackled
• sprang
• freed
• emancipated
• enfranchised
• unbound
• manumitted
• unchained
• unfettered
• unmoored
• discharged
• vented
• uncaged
• took out

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• held
• restrained
• controlled
• checked
• contained
• regulated
• inhibited
• constrained
• governed
• curbed
• tamed
• smothered
• bridled
• reined (in)
• shackled
• bound
• handcuffed
• confined
• fettered
• hampered
• manacled
• trammeled
• enchained
• haltered

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of loosened

Adjective

Use a non-abrasive scrubbing sponge or a microfiber cloth to remove all the loosened debris. — Maria Sabella, The Spruce, 19 Sep. 2026

The loosened restrictions will not empower Washington to pursue investment and economic cooperation with al Sharaa’s government, which could transform the impoverished country. — Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 27 Aug. 2026

Scrub the metal grid with a dish sponge or brush to remove loosened debris. — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 21 Aug. 2026

Hence shirt jackets and safari jackets in linen and leather came to the fore, as did denim Bermudas, linen polos and lots of lifestyle knits amid its more formal, full-canvas tailoring — styled with a loosened tie. — Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 22 June 2026

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

Glambert rescued the tribute—the only singer who didn’t look one tiny bit nervous tackling this songbook, peacocking in a black-leather cape, and his confidence loosened everyone up onstage. — Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 28 Sep. 2026

Teen-pregnancy rates have dropped dramatically, women have far more educational and professional opportunities, and social norms that stigmatized childlessness have loosened. — Margaret Talbot, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2026

Things loosened considerably when an Argentina trip with polo player and model Nacho Figueras came up. — Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 11 Sep. 2026

However, after receiving some rain in July and August, most forests have loosened fire restrictions or done away with them altogether. — Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 10 Sep. 2026

The budget at Liverpool has historically been less-easily loosened than at some of their rival clubs, though Hughes succeeded in persuading his bosses to break their transfer record to go big for Wirtz, Isak and Barcola. — James Pearce, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026

Like so many small towns along Route 66, old boundaries have loosened, and families have scattered as regional economies reshape where people work and live. — Harry Bruinius, Christian Science Monitor, 8 Sep. 2026

Stein attributed the drop to a lengthening backlog for accounts receivable as Nvidia has loosened payment terms for its many backstopping deals. — Tobias Burns, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026

Sure, his back may have loosened more with each completion Daniels made last Friday. — Rick Stroud, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Aug. 2026