1
as in relaxes
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in frees
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 unleashes
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of loosens
Affordable housing bill loosens income limits This year’s draft requires average rents to be affordable to residents earning the 60% area median income.
—
Mark Dee, Idaho Statesman, 26 Feb. 2026
The Department of the Interior finalized its overhaul of the nation’s bedrock environmental law on Monday, which loosens oversight on logging, mining, oil and gas development, and other industrial projects.
—Christine Peterson, Outdoor Life, 25 Feb. 2026
Time, especially in the second half of life, loosens your grip and offers perspective.
—Dimity McDowell, Time, 24 Feb. 2026
As winter loosens its grip across the South, one of the season’s smallest migrants begins its return.
—Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 24 Feb. 2026
As winter slowly loosens its grip, the animal rehabilitators hope rising temperatures will ease the strain on wildlife.
—John Dias, CBS News, 21 Feb. 2026
Once the gunk loosens, simply wipe the interior clean with a cloth.
—Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Feb. 2026
When force is applied in the driving direction, torque tightens or loosens a fastener.
—Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 13 Feb. 2026
Being a fan of a cultural artifact means being a passionate reader (in a broader sense that also includes viewer, listener, audience, co-creator, and that also loosens and points out the porous border between work, creator, recipient).
—Literary Hub, 13 Feb. 2026
Mark Dee, Idaho Statesman, 26 Feb. 2026
The Department of the Interior finalized its overhaul of the nation’s bedrock environmental law on Monday, which loosens oversight on logging, mining, oil and gas development, and other industrial projects.
—Christine Peterson, Outdoor Life, 25 Feb. 2026
Time, especially in the second half of life, loosens your grip and offers perspective.
—Dimity McDowell, Time, 24 Feb. 2026
As winter loosens its grip across the South, one of the season’s smallest migrants begins its return.
—Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 24 Feb. 2026
As winter slowly loosens its grip, the animal rehabilitators hope rising temperatures will ease the strain on wildlife.
—John Dias, CBS News, 21 Feb. 2026
Once the gunk loosens, simply wipe the interior clean with a cloth.
—Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Feb. 2026
When force is applied in the driving direction, torque tightens or loosens a fastener.
—Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 13 Feb. 2026
Being a fan of a cultural artifact means being a passionate reader (in a broader sense that also includes viewer, listener, audience, co-creator, and that also loosens and points out the porous border between work, creator, recipient).
—Literary Hub, 13 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for loosens
Verb
-
Rising Star in Beverly Hills Gable relaxes on the veranda of his new Beverly Hills rental home in this 1931 photo, which accompanied an article in Screenland magazine.—
Katie Schultz,
Architectural Digest,
24 Feb. 2026
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In the clip, Megan relaxes on a hotel bed wearing a long, bombshell-blonde wig in the most divine blend of honeyed shades, styled in lush, loose waves by her hairstylist Kellon Deryck.—
Kara Nesvig,
Allure,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Stack’s presence at both ends of the floor frees up space for his teammates to do their thing.—
Matt Le Cren,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Mar. 2026
-
The move frees up more space for Dallas to work with ahead of Friday’s NHL trade deadline — but given all of its absences, the Stars also need to find production within.—
Lia Assimakopoulos,
Dallas Morning News,
1 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Now working as a stocker, Ash accidentally unleashes undead ghouls after reading from the Necronomicon, forcing him to take up his chainsaw yet again to save humanity from the Deadites.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
25 Feb. 2026
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Rogers has one of his favorite scenes with Malcolm McDowell, where the Slasher unleashes a gory massacre with his axe during an orgy at the Maryland mansion of a wealthy Satanist (McDowell).—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
This eases the pressure of constant perfection.—
Julianna Chen,
Dallas Morning News,
2 Mar. 2026
-
One of Europe's deadliest migration corridors, where unclaimed bodies often wash up on shore, the passage to Crete is fueled by wars and instability across Africa and is growing busier even as pressure eases on other Mediterranean routes.—
LEFTERIS PITARAKIS,
Arkansas Online,
1 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Nuclear fusion, like in the Sun, liberates 630 trillion joules for each kilogram of hydrogen fuel.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
16 Feb. 2026
-
In addition to sparing readers a confrontation with the luminous now of the Notification Center, Cash also liberates the Flynns from the always-too-late pop-culture references that constrain many internet novels.—
Gideon Leek,
The Atlantic,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Her findings demonstrate that commercial logging releases greenhouse gases and stops the natural cycle of regrowth, preventing the forest floor from sharing carbon resources.—
Bethanne Patrick,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Some can be incinerated, but that releases chemicals and smoke into the atmosphere.—
Devika Rao,
TheWeek,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
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European Union citizenship not only unlocks the ability to live and work across 27 countries with access to affordable healthcare and education—the coveted burgundy booklet also guarantees free movement throughout the entire Schengen Area, which is a major perk for travelers.—
Brittany Chang,
Condé Nast Traveler,
25 Feb. 2026
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Hitting certain thresholds unlocks broader access to health care and can bring ancillary benefits like property tax relief in some states.—
Steven Beynon,
ABC News,
25 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Loosens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/loosens. Accessed 5 Mar. 2026.
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