Synonyms of loosening (up)

loosening (up) 1 of 2

verb (1)

present participle of loosen (up)

as in facilitating

to free from obstruction or difficulty

hoped that adding a second lane would loosen up traffic on that street

Synonyms & Similar Words

• facilitating
• paving the way (for)
• accelerating
• improving
• promoting
• easing
• simplifying
• smoothing
• greasing
• straightening (out)
• speeding
• assisting
• unclogging
• helping
• aiding
• expediting
• quickening
• furthering
• forwarding
• hurrying
• hastening
• rushing
• abetting
• advancing
• streamlining
• disentangling
• untangling

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• complicating
• impeding
• hindering
• worsening
• retarding
• aggravating
• perplexing
• sophisticating

loosening up

2 of 2

verb (2)

present participle of loosen up

as in relaxing

to get rid of nervous tension or anxiety

a high-pressure job that makes it hard for him to loosen up even on weekends

Synonyms & Similar Words

• relaxing
• hanging loose
• winding down
• mellowing (out)
• chilling out
• resting
• chilling
• unwinding
• decompressing
• hanging (around or out)
• kicking back
• composing
• hacking (around)
• goofing (off)
• vegging out
• zoning out
• basking
• de-stressing
• settling
• unbending
• lounging
• idling
• comforting
• cooling
• calming
• alleviating
• lazing
• bumming
• loafing
• reposing
• lolling
• relieving
• dawdling
• easing
• droning
• vegetating
• dillydallying
• quieting
• footling
• dallying

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• tensing (up)

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of loosening (up)

Verb

But lately, she’s been loosening up her minimalist approach, experimenting with brighter colors and unexpected combinations that make her everyday outfits feel fresh. — Daisy Maldonado, InStyle, 10 July 2026

Beckham isn’t the only one loosening up their summer style with a lacy slip skirt. — Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 2 July 2026

This can be avoided by squatting, stretching and loosening up your joints before jumping. — Bestreviews, Mercury News, 2 July 2026

If the plant was root bound in its pot, consider pulling it out of the ground, loosening up the roots so water can penetrate, and replanting it. — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 7 June 2026

After the ceasefire, oil prices plunged and bond yields fell, loosening up some of the cost crunch for consumers and businesses alike. — Max Zahn, ABC News, 10 Apr. 2026

Dulude suggests loosening up the food particles on the microwave walls by placing a bowl of water inside with half a lemon and using a high setting to boil the water. — Lori Keong, Architectural Digest, 2 Apr. 2026

Men, once largely confined to safe tuxedos, began loosening up. — Merle Ginsberg, HollywoodReporter, 18 Mar. 2026

Inventory loosening up One sign the housing market is loosening is an increasing ratio of sellers to buyers. — Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 6 Mar. 2026