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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in unfixing
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of loosening
Alex Driggars, Austin American Statesman, 23 Jan. 2026
But loosening the protections of the linear no-threshold (LNT) model is not supported by current research.
—Katy Huff, Scientific American, 23 Jan. 2026
The National Guard in blue states began to defect after being federalized by the president, loosening his hold on the military.
—Michael Scherer, The Atlantic, 22 Jan. 2026
Staff walk you through the process, from loosening the bottle’s cage to using one, swift motion to open your bottle.
—Amanda Ogle, Travel + Leisure, 18 Jan. 2026
Ignoring the corrosion at the base can make loosening attempts ineffective and lead to breakage, Mansfield warns.
—Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 15 Jan. 2026
The administration is loosening already lax oversight.
—Mark Olalde, ProPublica, 12 Jan. 2026
They’re made from Lee’s stretchy denim blend that’s designed to move with you without loosening throughout the day.
—Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026
But the effects of major rules changes, from loosening restrictions on transfers to the introduction of NIL compensation and revenue sharing, are changing the way a national title contender can be constructed.
—Sam Khan Jr, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2026
Michael Santoli, CNBC, 26 Jan. 2026
Parker cited a report from the Police Executive Research Forum, which noted the increase in injuries and deaths in Milwaukee following a loosening of its pursuit policy in 2015 and in the years that followed.
—David Clarey, jsonline.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Others moved in the opposite direction, using federal ambiguity to justify loosening requirements and politicizing vaccination policy.
—Richard Hughes Iv, STAT, 12 Jan. 2026
During his pontificate, Francis faced strong resistance from some conservative cardinals to some of his reforms, particularly on his loosening of rules banning divorced and remarried Catholics from communion and his welcome to gay Catholics.
—Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 9 Jan. 2026
The gradual loosening of restrictions against cannabis and cannabinoids helped make room in the market for other herbal and botanical products.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 28 Dec. 2025
The latter deal requires a loosening of rules prohibiting broadcast owners from owning TV stations reaching more than 39% of the national television audience.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 28 Dec. 2025
This wheel effectively does away with complicated fit tweaks, allowing for single-handed precision tightening and loosening – even while wearing gloves.
—New Atlas, 25 Dec. 2025
Hopes for political loosening persisted in the stubborn holdouts of China, Iran, and Russia.
—Stephen Kotkin, Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
Verb
Other changes to the policy include loosening a ban on donations of taxpayer money to nonprofits; an amendment passed by Council Member Krista Laine allows transfers to organizations of less than $50.
—Alex Driggars, Austin American Statesman, 23 Jan. 2026
But loosening the protections of the linear no-threshold (LNT) model is not supported by current research.
—Katy Huff, Scientific American, 23 Jan. 2026
The National Guard in blue states began to defect after being federalized by the president, loosening his hold on the military.
—Michael Scherer, The Atlantic, 22 Jan. 2026
Staff walk you through the process, from loosening the bottle’s cage to using one, swift motion to open your bottle.
—Amanda Ogle, Travel + Leisure, 18 Jan. 2026
Ignoring the corrosion at the base can make loosening attempts ineffective and lead to breakage, Mansfield warns.
—Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 15 Jan. 2026
The administration is loosening already lax oversight.
—Mark Olalde, ProPublica, 12 Jan. 2026
They’re made from Lee’s stretchy denim blend that’s designed to move with you without loosening throughout the day.
—Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026
But the effects of major rules changes, from loosening restrictions on transfers to the introduction of NIL compensation and revenue sharing, are changing the way a national title contender can be constructed.
—Sam Khan Jr, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2026
Noun
This reduction in anticipated Fed loosening has been more digestible thanks to former growth dynamics.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 26 Jan. 2026
Parker cited a report from the Police Executive Research Forum, which noted the increase in injuries and deaths in Milwaukee following a loosening of its pursuit policy in 2015 and in the years that followed.
—David Clarey, jsonline.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Others moved in the opposite direction, using federal ambiguity to justify loosening requirements and politicizing vaccination policy.
—Richard Hughes Iv, STAT, 12 Jan. 2026
During his pontificate, Francis faced strong resistance from some conservative cardinals to some of his reforms, particularly on his loosening of rules banning divorced and remarried Catholics from communion and his welcome to gay Catholics.
—Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 9 Jan. 2026
The gradual loosening of restrictions against cannabis and cannabinoids helped make room in the market for other herbal and botanical products.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 28 Dec. 2025
The latter deal requires a loosening of rules prohibiting broadcast owners from owning TV stations reaching more than 39% of the national television audience.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 28 Dec. 2025
This wheel effectively does away with complicated fit tweaks, allowing for single-handed precision tightening and loosening – even while wearing gloves.
—New Atlas, 25 Dec. 2025
Hopes for political loosening persisted in the stubborn holdouts of China, Iran, and Russia.
—Stephen Kotkin, Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for loosening
Verb
-
The best lounge sets work for more than just relaxing around the house.—
Caley Sturgill,
Southern Living,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Cooking and baking are relaxing ways to unwind, try something new and inevitably reap the benefits of the — sweet or savory — break from the digital world.—
Meredith Wilshere,
PEOPLE,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The price point is also well within my budget this winter, freeing me up to snag some other pieces from my wish list.—
Merrell Readman,
Travel + Leisure,
1 Feb. 2026
-
Combine the 100-plus union welfare funds and annuity funds, freeing massive amounts in administrative costs.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
As a professional, challenging the status quo means daring to be different by unleashing your curiosity to drive new ways of achieving efficiency, differentiation, and breakthroughs.—
Rodney C. Adkins,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Imagine unleashing Lipsey and Bradley for short spurts and telling them to wreak havoc.—
Brendan Marks,
New York Times,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Many African Americans watching protests calling for easing restrictions meant to slow the spread of the new coronavirus see them as one more example of how their health, their safety and their rights just don't seem to matter.—
Ernie Suggs,
AJC.com,
1 Feb. 2026
-
Now, authorities are stepping in to slow the flow, introducing new restrictions aimed at curbing day-trip tourism and easing pressure on the village.—
Barbie Latza Nadeau,
CNN Money,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The company has said releasing certain information publicly would compromise its business.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
28 Jan. 2026
-
However, quickly after releasing these updates — which are intended to keep core system services functioning on devices that no longer receive major iOS releases — Apple stopped signing them.—
Kate O'Flaherty,
Forbes.com,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
But high-resolution Surveying—gathering exhaustive and detailed information about a very narrow topic—is the key to unlocking the learning potential of imitation.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Executives from top British banks and manufacturers are joining Starmer, who plans to meet with Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Thursday with a goal of unlocking more export business for UK firms.—
J.D. Capelouto,
semafor.com,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
This causes the uterine lining to stop thickening and to break down, detaching the embryo.—
Arthur Jones II,
ABC News,
14 Jan. 2026
-
In one sense, detaching goal setting from the start of the Gregorian calendar is reasonable—one can, of course, choose to begin afresh at any moment.—
Valerie Trapp,
The Atlantic,
30 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Was that liberating, or more nerve-wracking?—
Lily Ford,
HollywoodReporter,
15 Jan. 2026
-
Liberation is funny, poignant and, yes, liberating in its expression of the very human need for justice and freedom in an era when those words have been co-opted by forces who value only self-enrichment.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
31 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Loosening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/loosening. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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