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
Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Aug. 2025
Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Oct. 2025
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
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
New beds should be dug or loosened to a depth of 12 inches for varieties with larger bulbs.
—Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Oct. 2025
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
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
-
All the while, the aspirator runs quietly and plays gentle tunes to keep mom and the baby relaxed, keeping stress to a minimum.—
Ethan Stone,
USA Today,
28 Oct. 2025
-
That’s because the FDA had recently relaxed its rules about how the pills could be prescribed and dispensed, allowing women to receive them by mail after a telehealth visit with a provider.—
Lisa Jarvis,
Mercury News,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Once she is freed, Dek discover the robot is missing her bottom half.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
4 Nov. 2025
-
And, of course, Amherst had freed Black people, and I was told that there were Black people who were working for the family outside of the house, in the fields and gardens.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Nov. 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
-
But as the rain eased and the track dried, Button found a rhythm nobody else could match.—
The Athletic Staff,
New York Times,
28 Oct. 2025
-
After several downpours fueled by tropical moisture from the Pacific Ocean, Arizona’s short-term drought has finally eased, at least a little.—
Hayleigh Evans,
AZCentral.com,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The company released 6-month results — from April to September — and the quarterly numbers have been calculated by CNBC, based on company statement and LSEG data.—
Dylan Butts,
CNBC,
5 Nov. 2025
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Unlike most years, the first rankings released by the College Football Playoff selection committee didn't cause much drama.—
Jordan Sigler,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Though often appearing stylish and refined, with an air of unshakable confidence, like a real-life James Bond, Farzam seemed to come undone in recent years.—
Ray Sanchez,
CNN Money,
2 Nov. 2025
-
And in October 2025, her daughter emulated mom's rosy glow and undone hair in the same dress at the PAC NYC Icons of Culture Gala alongside dad Michael Douglas.—
Alex Apatoff,
PEOPLE,
30 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Loosened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/loosened. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
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