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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of loosening (up)
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
Part of that is loosening up streamers’ bids for lengthy contract terms on series, potentially in exchange for less money.
—K.j. Yossman, Variety, 13 Oct. 2025
Verb
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
Part of that is loosening up streamers’ bids for lengthy contract terms on series, potentially in exchange for less money.
—K.j. Yossman, Variety, 13 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for loosening (up)
Verb
-
While many were happy this conversation was being had, many took issue with the fact that Paltrow was the one facilitating the conversation.—
Lori A Bashian,
FOXNews.com,
6 May 2026
-
The group was founded in 2002 and has carved out a niche facilitating team sales, LP transactions, debt financing and other adjacent M&A activity.—
Eben Novy-Williams,
Variety,
5 May 2026
Verb
-
The Hollywood star enjoyed her birthday week spending time with family, friends and Ramirez, as well as enjoying a relaxing spa visit.—
Sarah Sotoodeh,
FOXNews.com,
10 May 2026
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Think open hiking trails, relaxing inns at a more attainable value, and cool mornings with warm afternoons.—
Cameron Beall,
Southern Living,
10 May 2026
Verb
-
Cena will be at his second event as the host since winding down his in-ring career.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
9 May 2026
-
What’s obvious but goes unsaid is that with a new husband and thoughts of starting a family, Mary’s performing days were winding down.—
John Ficarra,
Washington Post,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
What had seemed like a good way of chilling out was actually plunging me into a kind of crisis.—
Tim Parks,
New Yorker,
11 Apr. 2026
-
If holiday burnout has you in the mood for rest and relaxation, the star advises taking a break to enjoy one of her favorite holiday traditions—chilling out at home with the family.—
Essence,
Essence,
15 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Loosening (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/loosening%20%28up%29. Accessed 14 May. 2026.
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