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
Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 31 Dec. 2025
However, several Supreme Court decisions in the last several decades have loosened those restrictions and broadened what is permissible under the Constitution.
—Cate Charron, IndyStar, 30 Dec. 2025
Even so, the ties never really loosened.
—Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 25 Dec. 2025
Single-family homes remain tighter, but even that segment has loosened compared to 2022 and 2023.
—Allison Palmer, Miami Herald, 22 Dec. 2025
Clogs and Drains Clogs and slow-moving drains can be loosened with a combination of laundry detergent and very hot water.
—Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Dec. 2025
The report comes after OpenAI loosened its relationship with Microsoft this fall, opening the door to raise money and partner with other companies.
—Geoff Colvin, Fortune, 17 Dec. 2025
Antisemitism online has also spiked in recent years, fueled by anger around the conflict between Israel and Hamas and enabled by a new freewheeling social media landscape where content moderation on sites like X and others has been loosened.
—Matt Bradley, NBC news, 16 Dec. 2025
Changes in crude prices are most acutely felt in Saudi Arabia, where rapid social and market reforms haven’t loosened the economy’s link to oil, Morgan Stanley analysts wrote in a recent report.
—Kelsey Warner, semafor.com, 9 Dec. 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
Investigators noted that the fitting likely loosened over time due to engine vibration.
—Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 31 Dec. 2025
However, several Supreme Court decisions in the last several decades have loosened those restrictions and broadened what is permissible under the Constitution.
—Cate Charron, IndyStar, 30 Dec. 2025
Even so, the ties never really loosened.
—Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 25 Dec. 2025
Single-family homes remain tighter, but even that segment has loosened compared to 2022 and 2023.
—Allison Palmer, Miami Herald, 22 Dec. 2025
Clogs and Drains Clogs and slow-moving drains can be loosened with a combination of laundry detergent and very hot water.
—Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Dec. 2025
The report comes after OpenAI loosened its relationship with Microsoft this fall, opening the door to raise money and partner with other companies.
—Geoff Colvin, Fortune, 17 Dec. 2025
Antisemitism online has also spiked in recent years, fueled by anger around the conflict between Israel and Hamas and enabled by a new freewheeling social media landscape where content moderation on sites like X and others has been loosened.
—Matt Bradley, NBC news, 16 Dec. 2025
Changes in crude prices are most acutely felt in Saudi Arabia, where rapid social and market reforms haven’t loosened the economy’s link to oil, Morgan Stanley analysts wrote in a recent report.
—Kelsey Warner, semafor.com, 9 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for loosened
Adjective
-
Last year, Anderson stuck with a soft glam look and left her hair down in natural, loose waves.—
Katie Hill,
PEOPLE,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Secure loose outdoor items and adjust plans as necessary so you're not caught outside.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
According to Day, Linen has a quiet quality which instantly warms and softens a space while creating a sense of ease and can make a room feel lived in and relaxed while still giving it a polished look.—
Nomita Vaish-Taylor,
The Spruce,
9 Jan. 2026
-
The low-rise, relaxed fit tapers at the ankle for a flattering shape that still feels casual.—
Rosie Marder,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Jorge Rodríguez, recently ratified as leader of the national parliament, avoided referring to those being freed as political prisoners and said that the releases were taking place simultaneously to his announcement, made at noon on Thursday.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Following the announcement by Rodríguez, the Spanish Foreign Ministry confirmed that five Spaniards – one of whom has dual citizenship – had been freed and were flying back to Spain.—
Uriel Blanco,
CNN Money,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The videos that were posted on social media since Thursday also indicate that security forces likely unleashed a fierce and bloody crackdown across the country and that some protestors attacked government buildings.—
Colin Sheeley,
NBC news,
10 Jan. 2026
-
After dribbling once with his right hand, Brown unleashed a Eurostep to his left, splitting the two Raptors players.—
Jay King,
New York Times,
10 Jan. 2026
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
-
Loose layers can compress in a crash, leaving the harness too slack to protect the baby.—
Daniella Gray,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The France midfielder signed from Lyon in the summer has been eased into his Premier League career after a two-month injury layoff, with Guardiola using him mostly as an impact substitute since returning to action in mid-October.—
Andy Jones,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
-
While spontaneous mentions of high prices increased for a fifth month, inflation expectations eased over the longer term.—
Bloomberg News,
Boston Herald,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The church released a statement about the incident on Wednesday night.—
Washington Examiner Staff,
The Washington Examiner,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Photographs were released on Wednesday showing Good in professional portraits and with her family.—
Landon Mion,
FOXNews.com,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Or, use the same flat-iron to create polished yet undone waves, as seen above on actress Kaityln Dever.—
Ariel Wodarcyk,
InStyle,
7 Jan. 2026
-
The intentionally undone look, as seen at the likes of Fendi, Loewe, and Balenciaga, creates an element of intrigue; the slouchy shape offers a sliver of a view into your purse’s contents.—
Abby Morgan Lebet,
Glamour,
30 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Loosened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/loosened. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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