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
David Clarey, jsonline.com, 3 Oct. 2025
And the typical rules of decorum are loosened as a result — at least by golf standards.
—Bob Harkins, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
Advertisement In the late 2000s, as the climate warmed further, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad loosened restrictions on well drilling and started another dam building spree.
—Nik Kowsar, Time, 2 Oct. 2025
While some states have stopped or loosened their weighing practices, at least 16 states, including Tennessee, West Virginia, Arkansas, and New York, still have these types of policies, according to a 2024 report from Undark, a nonprofit, independent digital magazine.
—Anna Halkidis, Parents, 1 Oct. 2025
Burr acknowledged those original restrictions but claims they were loosened after artists pushed back.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 1 Oct. 2025
The move is the latest example of how YouTube — like other tech platforms — has loosened its content moderation efforts in recent years, a trend that has accelerated across Silicon Valley this year amid pressure from conservatives.
—Clare Duffy, CNN Money, 24 Sep. 2025
After being stuck on a boss, eternally forced to run back and replay swaths of danger for just another slim shot at winning, overcoming most challenges feels less like triumph and more like someone’s mercifully loosened the belt around your neck.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 19 Sep. 2025
But over time, Walmart loosened those controls in a bid to woo sellers away from Amazon and appear more friendly than its rival, according to sellers, e-commerce consultants, and current and former employees.
—Gabrielle Fonrouge,paige Tortorelli, CNBC, 19 Sep. 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
That's because the city has a history of shifting on this issue, from when pursuits were restricted following bystander deaths, and then loosened in response to carjackings and reckless driving in the city.
—David Clarey, jsonline.com, 3 Oct. 2025
And the typical rules of decorum are loosened as a result — at least by golf standards.
—Bob Harkins, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
Advertisement In the late 2000s, as the climate warmed further, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad loosened restrictions on well drilling and started another dam building spree.
—Nik Kowsar, Time, 2 Oct. 2025
While some states have stopped or loosened their weighing practices, at least 16 states, including Tennessee, West Virginia, Arkansas, and New York, still have these types of policies, according to a 2024 report from Undark, a nonprofit, independent digital magazine.
—Anna Halkidis, Parents, 1 Oct. 2025
Burr acknowledged those original restrictions but claims they were loosened after artists pushed back.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 1 Oct. 2025
The move is the latest example of how YouTube — like other tech platforms — has loosened its content moderation efforts in recent years, a trend that has accelerated across Silicon Valley this year amid pressure from conservatives.
—Clare Duffy, CNN Money, 24 Sep. 2025
After being stuck on a boss, eternally forced to run back and replay swaths of danger for just another slim shot at winning, overcoming most challenges feels less like triumph and more like someone’s mercifully loosened the belt around your neck.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 19 Sep. 2025
But over time, Walmart loosened those controls in a bid to woo sellers away from Amazon and appear more friendly than its rival, according to sellers, e-commerce consultants, and current and former employees.
—Gabrielle Fonrouge,paige Tortorelli, CNBC, 19 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for loosened
Adjective
-
Shake off any loose debris, then rinse it with water.—
Cody Godwin,
USA Today,
5 Oct. 2025
-
It’s made with a super-durable construction designed to withstand wear from at-home projects, while the loose fit allows for comfortable movement.—
Jacqueline Tempera,
PEOPLE,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Hurzeler is relaxed about the situation.—
Andy Naylor,
New York Times,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Keep your shoulders relaxed and engage your core to avoid arching your back.—
Dana Santas,
CNN Money,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
That freed up nearly $19 million in cap space to retain players such as Rob Gronkowski.—
Sean Gentille,
New York Times,
8 Oct. 2025
-
The pair were convicted of murdering Knox’s roommate, Meredith Kercher, who was killed in 2007 in Italy, and then freed on appeal after an eight-year, three-trial legal battle to prove their innocence.—
Jackie Strause,
HollywoodReporter,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Manes Returns A little more than three months after Johnson’s departure, Bukele unleashed an assault on the judiciary.—
T. Christian Miller,
ProPublica,
30 Sep. 2025
-
So Much Fun) and others exhausting (the YSL Slime Language comps, 2023’s Business Is Business), as well as too many studio leaks unleashed via message board accounts.—
Mosi Reeves,
Rolling Stone,
29 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
-
Mendes’ eased into his return with last year’s For Friends and Family Only Tour.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
4 Oct. 2025
-
Criteria have been eased several times since then as the kingdom increasingly sees the need to court foreign capital.—
Matthew Martin,
semafor.com,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The identities of the two boys and their cause of death were not immediately released, but foul play is not suspected, according to WFAA.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 Oct. 2025
-
Fans across the globe are now accusing her of using AI in her promotional videos, which were released in the form of a scavenger hunt on Google this weekend.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Glenn ripped himself for allowing his team to come undone after Hall’s fumble.—
Ian O'Connor,
New York Times,
6 Oct. 2025
-
Instead of donning a perfectly intact hairdo, Kravitz opted for the undone aesthetic; her hair was halfway trapped under the collar of her windbreaker.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
3 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Loosened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/loosened. Accessed 10 Oct. 2025.
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