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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of loosened
Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Aug. 2025
Peter Brannen, Quanta Magazine, 15 Sep. 2025
Adama unfastened a padlock and loosened the chain securing the doors.
—Ken Harbaugh, The Atlantic, 15 Sep. 2025
Celebrities known for other things showing anything at all was worth the price of the magazine, and those parameters were loosened.
—Mark Gray, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2025
Heavy rains came days before, which could have loosened the ground, making those mountain villages more vulnerable.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 2 Sep. 2025
Then, rub the seeds off the flower head and into a paper bag, or clip the entire flower head off the plant and hang it up to dry indoors until the seeds are easily loosened with your fingers.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Aug. 2025
Some ordinary baby formula, needed for those whose mothers are dead or unable to breastfeed, or when the child is unwell, has entered Gaza since the aid blockade was loosened, UNICEF said on Tuesday.
—Dawoud Abu Alkas, USA Today, 23 Aug. 2025
In 2014, the government of then-Prime Minister Shinzo Abe loosened it, allowing case-by-case transfers under tight end-use controls.
—Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Aug. 2025
This cap, which has been loosened over the years, has historically been seen as critical to control the concentration in the over the air broadcasting and to preserve as best as possible the fidelity to coverage of local news and information.
—Howard Homonoff, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 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
The grip of this ice age was loosened only when carbon dioxide began to soar again around 300 million years ago.
—Peter Brannen, Quanta Magazine, 15 Sep. 2025
Adama unfastened a padlock and loosened the chain securing the doors.
—Ken Harbaugh, The Atlantic, 15 Sep. 2025
Celebrities known for other things showing anything at all was worth the price of the magazine, and those parameters were loosened.
—Mark Gray, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2025
Heavy rains came days before, which could have loosened the ground, making those mountain villages more vulnerable.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 2 Sep. 2025
Then, rub the seeds off the flower head and into a paper bag, or clip the entire flower head off the plant and hang it up to dry indoors until the seeds are easily loosened with your fingers.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Aug. 2025
Some ordinary baby formula, needed for those whose mothers are dead or unable to breastfeed, or when the child is unwell, has entered Gaza since the aid blockade was loosened, UNICEF said on Tuesday.
—Dawoud Abu Alkas, USA Today, 23 Aug. 2025
In 2014, the government of then-Prime Minister Shinzo Abe loosened it, allowing case-by-case transfers under tight end-use controls.
—Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Aug. 2025
This cap, which has been loosened over the years, has historically been seen as critical to control the concentration in the over the air broadcasting and to preserve as best as possible the fidelity to coverage of local news and information.
—Howard Homonoff, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for loosened
Adjective
-
The attempt was tipped and brought in by Locke, who slipped loose into the secondary before taking off for a 64-yard touchdown reception.—
Brendan Connelly,
Boston Herald,
13 Sep. 2025
-
These are organized into geologic map units, which range in composition from loose sand and gravel to very old bedrock.—
David Bressan,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Ododos Soft Wide-leg Pants The legs are loose and relaxed with pleats, which give the pants a chic look.—
Olivia Young,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Sep. 2025
-
The best time is when you’re relaxed.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
By focusing on a simple physical task like folding, the inner mind is freed to meditate subconsciously.—
Jazz Monroe,
Pitchfork,
17 Sep. 2025
-
The South experienced a boom in housing demand during the pandemic home-buying frenzy, as the region saw an influx of newcomers coming from more expensive markets who had been freed by the rise of remote work.—
Giulia Carbonaro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The man who unleashed a mob on the Capitol, and said Liz Cheney should face nine barrels shooting at her for supporting his opponent, blames the radical left for their rhetoric.—
Zack Sharf,
Variety,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Flip that switch, and suddenly every market becomes accessible, and good ideas trapped behind a language wall get unleashed.—
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
Your arms should be down by your sides, and the towel should be slack and without tension.—
Alyssa Ages,
Outside Online,
28 June 2025
Verb
-
However, some pressures have eased compared with a year ago.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Sep. 2025
-
However, things between the two eased, with Sheen returning to work with Lorre on his show Bookie.—
Lea Veloso,
StyleCaster,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
He was arrested following a 33-hour manhunt after his parents recognized surveillance images of the suspect released by police and convinced him, with the help of a family friend, to turn himself in.—
Connor Greene,
Time,
17 Sep. 2025
-
Just four months after being released from her WWE contract, Shayna Baszler has made her on-screen return to the NXT brand.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
But instead of power suits and computer monitors, there was an intimate coziness and undone yet chic comfort to the clothing and the space.—
Anika Reed,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Margot Robbie has used the look to recover from her Barbie bleach jobs, stepping out in refreshingly undone styles and dark roots.—
Jeanne Ballion,
Glamour,
11 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Loosened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/loosened. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share