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
Relevance
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
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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 loosening
Christiana Freitag, Chicago Tribune, 13 June 2026
Apply around the seam, wait up to an hour, and then try loosening the bolt.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 8 June 2026
After loosening the debris, vacuum it up, Flores says.
—Caroline Lubinsky, Martha Stewart, 8 June 2026
His gums are bleeding, his joints ache and his teeth are loosening from their sockets.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 6 June 2026
The traditional three-square-meals-a-day structure is loosening.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Sacbee.com, 4 June 2026
Meanwhile, Noina uses her elbows, knees and feet to administer a satisfyingly joint-loosening Thai massage.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth has frequently lambasted the military for loosening physical fitness requirements.
—Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA Today, 29 May 2026
The deal could generate tens of billions of dollars in revenue, loosening Nvidia's grip on the market in the process.
—Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 27 May 2026
Sarah Jones, Footwear News, 12 June 2026
Has there been any loosening of the rules for the tournament?
—Melanie Anzidei, New York Times, 11 June 2026
As the Union-Tribune’s Lucas Robinson noted, that money was made available by an earlier loosening of restrictions on dipping into the reserve — a policy advanced by the Board of Supervisors’ three Democrats and opposed by its two Republicans.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 May 2026
There has been some loosening on those expectations for traditional journalists, which varies significantly by organization, beat, and medium.
—Jeremy Saks, Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 May 2026
Shortly thereafter, gaps between high and low performers began to grow at the national level, which many education scholars attribute both to the introduction of screens and the loosening of accountability.
—Abby McCloskey, Twin Cities, 12 Apr. 2026
Long Beach, Long Island, is holding a public hearing regarding the loosening of alcohol restrictions on its iconic boardwalk.
—Jennifer McLogan, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2026
Chinese bonds may be reaching an historic turning point, with yields climbing from record low levels as deflationary pressures ease and expectations for monetary loosening recede.
—Iris Ouyang, Bloomberg, 5 Apr. 2026
Iran’s loosening of Hormuz restrictions opens at least an opportunity for Iraq to resume some seaborne shipments, though other hurdles remain, including a lack of clarity on when and by how much the nation’s oil fields can ramp up output.
—Patrick Sykes, Fortune, 4 Apr. 2026
Verb
Environmental advocates say Pines demonstrates the potential consequences of loosening coal ash rules.
—Christiana Freitag, Chicago Tribune, 13 June 2026
Apply around the seam, wait up to an hour, and then try loosening the bolt.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 8 June 2026
After loosening the debris, vacuum it up, Flores says.
—Caroline Lubinsky, Martha Stewart, 8 June 2026
His gums are bleeding, his joints ache and his teeth are loosening from their sockets.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 6 June 2026
The traditional three-square-meals-a-day structure is loosening.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Sacbee.com, 4 June 2026
Meanwhile, Noina uses her elbows, knees and feet to administer a satisfyingly joint-loosening Thai massage.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth has frequently lambasted the military for loosening physical fitness requirements.
—Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA Today, 29 May 2026
The deal could generate tens of billions of dollars in revenue, loosening Nvidia's grip on the market in the process.
—Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 27 May 2026
Noun
Although jeans may be more relaxed around the legs, there is still a case for stretch materials to provide comfort and ease as well as recovery or bounce back, preventing bagged out knees and loosening.
—Sarah Jones, Footwear News, 12 June 2026
Has there been any loosening of the rules for the tournament?
—Melanie Anzidei, New York Times, 11 June 2026
As the Union-Tribune’s Lucas Robinson noted, that money was made available by an earlier loosening of restrictions on dipping into the reserve — a policy advanced by the Board of Supervisors’ three Democrats and opposed by its two Republicans.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 May 2026
There has been some loosening on those expectations for traditional journalists, which varies significantly by organization, beat, and medium.
—Jeremy Saks, Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 May 2026
Shortly thereafter, gaps between high and low performers began to grow at the national level, which many education scholars attribute both to the introduction of screens and the loosening of accountability.
—Abby McCloskey, Twin Cities, 12 Apr. 2026
Long Beach, Long Island, is holding a public hearing regarding the loosening of alcohol restrictions on its iconic boardwalk.
—Jennifer McLogan, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2026
Chinese bonds may be reaching an historic turning point, with yields climbing from record low levels as deflationary pressures ease and expectations for monetary loosening recede.
—Iris Ouyang, Bloomberg, 5 Apr. 2026
Iran’s loosening of Hormuz restrictions opens at least an opportunity for Iraq to resume some seaborne shipments, though other hurdles remain, including a lack of clarity on when and by how much the nation’s oil fields can ramp up output.
—Patrick Sykes, Fortune, 4 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for loosening
Verb
-
Hole up in a cozy cottage at The Park micro-resort for the ultimate relaxing vacation.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
21 June 2026
-
Guests can enjoy a wide range of activities, including sailing, water skiing, tennis, pickleball, disc golf, or just relaxing by the lake.—
Chelsea Adams,
USA Today,
20 June 2026
Verb
-
That said, the Heat could wind up seeking more of a veteran presence on the end of the bench, which could have Johnson headed back to a two-way deal, freeing up his spot on the standard roster.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
21 June 2026
-
Based on the company's H145 platform, the aircraft replaces the cockpit with clamshell cargo doors, freeing up additional space for payloads.—
David Szondy
June 21,
New Atlas,
21 June 2026
Verb
-
Elon Musk is now bragging that SpaceX will make epic investments en route to unleashing stupendous results.—
Shawn Tully,
Fortune,
19 June 2026
-
Since unleashing its first full-length Fallen in 2003, the group has released just six traditional studio LPs.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
Noun
-
Founders built authority through minimalism, detachment or a kind of calculated neutrality.—
Partner Content,
Variety,
10 June 2026
-
Her face, usually settled into a general look of detachment, would take on deeply significant expressions, all revolving around a plea for forgiveness.—
Andrea Bajani,
New Yorker,
7 June 2026
Verb
-
While potentially easing grid access for AI companies, this directive intensifies pressure on state and local governments.—
Ron Schmelzer,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
-
Pittsburghers for Public Transit says the Parkway North corridor is key for moving people efficiently and easing traffic.—
Chris Hoffman,
CBS News,
19 June 2026
Verb
-
In 2018, Anas Aremeyaw Anas, an investigative journalist famous for wearing a beaded mask to hide his identity, exposed just how deep Ghana’s football problems ran by releasing a documentary that was screened at cinemas and theatres across the country.—
Simon Hughes,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
-
But the White House is moving ahead with releasing details to the public, and on Wednesday, senior administration officials read out each line of the understanding to reporters.—
Mabinty Quarshie,
The Washington Examiner,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
This environment is continuously unlocking new pathways to discovering and solving problems, and the very tools of science itself are transforming in unprecedented ways.—
Rachel Nuwer,
Scientific American,
16 June 2026
-
The zoning code update is part of the town’s new comprehensive plan and will focus on unlocking development and investment potential in the town.—
Doug Ross,
Chicago Tribune,
16 June 2026
Verb
-
Shortly after, Waldorf's placenta had trouble detaching.—
Vanessa Etienne,
PEOPLE,
2 June 2026
-
Visual effects company Weta created the effect of Vecna’s head detaching from his body.—
Emily Zemler,
Los Angeles Times,
1 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Loosening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/loosening. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
