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
Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 21 Mar. 2025
Blake and Albert, their tongues loosened by wine, reopen and then scratch viciously at old wounds, calling out personal failures and professional betrayals.
—Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 19 Mar. 2025
In 2020, officials loosened the program's rules as pandemic lockdowns took effect — which prosecutors assert left the door open for abuse.
—Kyle Stokes, Axios, 19 Mar. 2025
In the first season of The Buccaneers, a group of fun-loving young American girls loosened the tightly corseted London scene of the 1870s on the brink of The Gilded Age in America.
—Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 18 Mar. 2025
Iran’s government has, accordingly, loosened some of its restrictions.
—Mohammad Ayatollahi Tabaar, Foreign Affairs, 17 Mar. 2025
Half of its large crew loosened the rails in front of the machine.
—Graydon Carter, The Atlantic, 14 Mar. 2025
The White House loosened its tariffs for automakers Wednesday, which fueled a small rebound the car industry stocks.
—Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 6 Mar. 2025
The White House asked Treasury and State to identify sanctions on Russia that could be loosened as part of the process of improving relations, Reuters reports.
—Dave Lawler, Axios, 4 Mar. 2025
Verb
That stance loosened about 15 years ago, primarily in baseball.
—Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 21 Mar. 2025
Blake and Albert, their tongues loosened by wine, reopen and then scratch viciously at old wounds, calling out personal failures and professional betrayals.
—Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 19 Mar. 2025
In 2020, officials loosened the program's rules as pandemic lockdowns took effect — which prosecutors assert left the door open for abuse.
—Kyle Stokes, Axios, 19 Mar. 2025
In the first season of The Buccaneers, a group of fun-loving young American girls loosened the tightly corseted London scene of the 1870s on the brink of The Gilded Age in America.
—Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 18 Mar. 2025
Iran’s government has, accordingly, loosened some of its restrictions.
—Mohammad Ayatollahi Tabaar, Foreign Affairs, 17 Mar. 2025
Half of its large crew loosened the rails in front of the machine.
—Graydon Carter, The Atlantic, 14 Mar. 2025
The White House loosened its tariffs for automakers Wednesday, which fueled a small rebound the car industry stocks.
—Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 6 Mar. 2025
The White House asked Treasury and State to identify sanctions on Russia that could be loosened as part of the process of improving relations, Reuters reports.
—Dave Lawler, Axios, 4 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for loosened
Adjective
-
The top has a casual, loose fit that’ll feel comfortable to wear with shorts now and jeans later, especially if it’s paired with a cozy cardigan for added warmth once fall arrives.—
Carly Totten,
Better Homes & Gardens,
8 Aug. 2025
-
Paige Bueckers #5 of the Dallas Wings reaches for a loose ball against Natasha Cloud #9 of the New York Liberty during a game against the New York Liberty at College Park Center on July 28, 2025 in Arlington, Texas.—
Kilty Cleary,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
After Stern retired in 2014, the code was relaxed, allowing for progressively zanier ’fits.—
Maya Singer,
Vogue,
8 Jan. 2025
-
And such a large cast, and so many children, all so at ease and relaxed together.—
Nick Vivarelli,
Variety,
8 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
But she’s also been freed in a way.—
Yvonne Villarreal,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Apr. 2025
-
The Kremlin on Thursday freed Ksenia Karelina, a Russian-American ballerina sentenced to 12 years in prison for donating to a Ukrainian charity, in exchange for a man accused of funneling military-grade electronics from the United States to Russia’s armed forces.—
Jessica Schladebeck,
New York Daily News,
10 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Then, the massive devastation of Beirut’s port blast in 2020 unleashed a shock wave explosion that destroyed the cinema complex in the city’s nightlife district.—
Etan Vlessing,
The Hollywood Reporter,
21 Dec. 2024
-
The transformative ride unleashed a range of emotions.—
Ashley Vega,
People.com,
20 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
In the footage, the wooden wall can be seen falling forward with a thud, while two vertical cables hang behind, apparently slack.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
27 June 2025
-
Flying Squirrel Trampoline Park, 3305 Corporate Ave, Weston, is an indoor entertainment park with trampolines, dodgeball court, battle beam, climbing walls, ropes course, slack line, dunk hoops, ninja course arcade games, children’s areas (soft-play playground) and the Drey Café.—
Rod Stafford Hagwood,
Sun Sentinel,
25 June 2025
Verb
-
The lingering worries in his mind were eased.—
Cody Stavenhagen,
New York Times,
13 Apr. 2025
-
Some of the injuries which precipitated that slump have eased.—
Sam Lee,
New York Times,
11 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Judging by the nearly 45 minutes of trailers and assorted promotional material that have been released to date, Kojima is doubling down on everything that made the original such a brilliant, odd classic.—
Lewis Gordon,
Vulture,
8 Jan. 2025
-
The individual, whose identity hasn’t been released, was quickly restrained by fellow passengers and later detained by state troopers.—
Muri Assunção,
New York Daily News,
8 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Power struggles plagued the team over the past year and eventually brought them undone.—
Nelson Espinal,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 July 2025
-
With indie-style music videos and unedited social media posts strongly resembling a MySpace or Tumblr profile from over a decade ago, Rae leans into an undone aesthetic.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Loosened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/loosened. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share