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)
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
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
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
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
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The Board is committed to ensuring that the revote is conducted fairly, transparently, and in full compliance with all applicable legal requirements, while facilitating a seamless Board transition prior to the start of the 2026–2027 school year in September.
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The firm helps athletes, teams and leagues grow—and eventually cash in on—their overseas fanbases, with organizing tours and activations, facilitating sponsorships, local social media accounts and region-specific content.
Verb
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The family of five appeared to be settling into the area nicely, as Messi posted a series of photos on Instagram of himself and Roccuzzo relaxing poolside with their kids that July.
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With a spacious design, durable construction, and charming look, it’s bound to be your go-to retreat for morning coffee, afternoon reading, or evening relaxing.
Verb
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With Prime Day 2026 winding down, now is your last chance to upgrade your pet's sleep setup before the deals disappear.
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But Europe’s human rights watchdog, the Council of Europe, warned against winding down protection and assistance for Ukrainians displaced by the war, including those eligible for military service.
Verb
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The beds are large and comfy, and the rooms have plenty of space for chilling out after a long day.
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Picturesque lake towns like Greenville and Naples are ideal destinations for water sports, boating adventures, or just chilling out on sandy shores.
Cite this Entry
“Loosening (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/loosening%20%28up%29. Accessed 1 Jul. 2026.
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