1
as in relaxing
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in freeing
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 unleashing
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
as in unfixing
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of loosening
Belinda Luscombe, Time, 5 Sep. 2025
The loosening of the policy around police pursuits has drawn criticism from some, including longtime advocate Jon Farris, who previously lived in Milwaukee and whose son was killed as a bystander during a police chase in Massachusetts.
—Jack Albright, jsonline.com, 9 Aug. 2025
Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Aug. 2025
Far infrared heat is highly effective in loosening tight muscles and joints.
—Michelle Stansbury, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 2025
Ingredients Directions Remove and discard the thin outer membrane on back of ribs by loosening it with a sharp knife and pulling it off.
—Jasmine Smith, Southern Living, 24 Aug. 2025
Psychedelics offer unique ways to potentially relieve suffering by loosening that rigid self-focus.
—Christopher Timmermann, Big Think, 20 Aug. 2025
When companies like Meta are loosening guardrails, regulators must tighten them to protect children and families.
—Annie Chestnut Tutor, Boston Herald, 18 Aug. 2025
But Ukrainian officials on Tuesday warned that their grip on the front lines was loosening, after months of incremental Russian gains, driven by Moscow’s superior manpower.
—Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 12 Aug. 2025
Several departments have seen a surge in applications after nixing college education requirements, but there are some signs that loosening standards doesn't necessarily solve staffing problems.
—N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 10 Aug. 2025
Verb
In due course the informality and loosening of the customs around dressing would take people all the way to grunge and eventually, in the new millennium, put CEOs of multimillion-dollar companies in hoodies.
—Belinda Luscombe, Time, 5 Sep. 2025
The loosening of the policy around police pursuits has drawn criticism from some, including longtime advocate Jon Farris, who previously lived in Milwaukee and whose son was killed as a bystander during a police chase in Massachusetts.
—Jack Albright, jsonline.com, 9 Aug. 2025
Noun
First aid efforts should include moving the person to a cooler area, loosening clothing, and offering sips of water.
—Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Aug. 2025
Far infrared heat is highly effective in loosening tight muscles and joints.
—Michelle Stansbury, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 2025
Ingredients Directions Remove and discard the thin outer membrane on back of ribs by loosening it with a sharp knife and pulling it off.
—Jasmine Smith, Southern Living, 24 Aug. 2025
Psychedelics offer unique ways to potentially relieve suffering by loosening that rigid self-focus.
—Christopher Timmermann, Big Think, 20 Aug. 2025
When companies like Meta are loosening guardrails, regulators must tighten them to protect children and families.
—Annie Chestnut Tutor, Boston Herald, 18 Aug. 2025
But Ukrainian officials on Tuesday warned that their grip on the front lines was loosening, after months of incremental Russian gains, driven by Moscow’s superior manpower.
—Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 12 Aug. 2025
Several departments have seen a surge in applications after nixing college education requirements, but there are some signs that loosening standards doesn't necessarily solve staffing problems.
—N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 10 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for loosening
Verb
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Despite its size, though, the town packs a big punch with things to do and explore, and is an ideal spot for a relaxing mountain weekend away from it all.—
Elliott Harrell,
Southern Living,
9 Sep. 2025
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Researchers have found that curcumin—the primary compound found in turmeric—has potent anti-inflammatory properties that can help regulate blood pressure by relaxing blood vessels.—
Sherri Gordon,
Health,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The operational tasks that consume their days today will run themselves, freeing your people to focus on what humans do best.—
David Zwick,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
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That system collapsed in the 1960s, freeing actors to choose their own projects and collaborators but leaving them sartorially adrift.—
Kimberly Chrisman-Campbell,
The Atlantic,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Alexander currently leads Missouri with 69 total points and 60 digs while unleashing 158 total attacks in 2025.—
Brady Shanahan,
Kansas City Star,
9 Sep. 2025
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Amplified by rapid technological advances, directly funding patients and unleashing all providers to competition can organically create affordable, flexible, sustainable, and dynamic access that rural Amercians truly need.—
Ge Bai,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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European markets have surged due to easing monetary policy from the European Central Bank, creating a favorable environment for equities across the continent.—
Robert Daugherty,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
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That package includes dozens of proposals to slash housing regulations, including tying some federal dollars to the progress of local governments in easing building restrictions and spurring new home construction.—
Ethan Varian,
Mercury News,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Add the mushrooms and garlic and cook for 5 more minutes, or until the mushrooms are soft and releasing liquid.—
Robin Miller,
AZCentral.com,
5 Sep. 2025
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Since launch, Firaxis has been releasing patches and responding to player feedback about some of the divisive changes.—
Samuel Axon,
ArsTechnica,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Both companies see this as a step toward unlocking commercial viability for hybrid-electric aviation.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Sep. 2025
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The plan is aimed at unlocking 100 million pounds by fiscal 2027, in addition to the 40 million pounds in cost savings target revealed last year.—
Samantha Conti,
Footwear News,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Airport officials voted to begin detaching themselves from Highfill in September 2023, and the sides have been in court and before the Arkansas Legislature multiple times since.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
19 Aug. 2025
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In April, Yen shared a video of his friend wakeboarding while attached to a plane, detaching a small piece of the aircraft.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
13 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Still, not every architect involved has found the project’s carte blanche approach liberating.—
Siobhan Reid,
Robb Report,
7 Sep. 2025
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His messaging consistently demonstrates that true success is an inside job, a byproduct of liberating oneself of mental constraints.—
Wyles Daniel,
USA Today,
28 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Loosening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/loosening. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
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