Synonyms of loosens

loosens

verb

present tense third-person singular of loosen

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

• relaxes
• eases
• slacks
• detaches
• slackens
• undoes
• unties
• frees
• unfastens
• unbinds

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• tensions
• tightens
• stretches
• binds
• attaches
• ties
• fastens
• strains
• restrains
• constrains
• tenses

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

• frees
• liberates
• releases
• looses
• rescues
• enlarges
• saves
• unbinds
• emancipates
• unchains
• springs
• enfranchises
• turns loose
• discharges
• unfetters
• disengages
• manumits
• redeems
• uncages
• extricates
• disenthralls
• disentangles
• paroles
• bails (out)
• unshackles
• delivers
• ransoms
• disembarrasses
• disencumbers

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• binds
• restrains
• confines
• fetters
• enchains
• shackles
• imprisons
• handcuffs
• commits
• locks (up)
• enslaves
• subdues
• incarcerates
• subjugates
• conquers
• trammels
• jails
• manacles
• interns
• immures

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

• unleashes
• releases
• unlocks
• looses
• uncorks
• expresses
• lets go
• frees
• liberates
• unloosens
• unlooses
• airs
• unbinds
• emancipates
• springs
• unshackles
• unchains
• enfranchises
• unmoors
• unfetters
• discharges
• manumits
• uncages
• vents
• takes out

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• regulates
• inhibits
• holds
• restrains
• contains
• governs
• constrains
• controls
• curbs
• tames
• smothers
• checks
• reins (in)
• binds
• confines
• bridles
• fetters
• shackles
• trammels
• handcuffs
• hampers
• manacles
• enchains
• halters

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of loosens

Blonde loosens the plot, leaning into the unreliability of memory and the false truths that occupy the gaps between love and certainty. — Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 20 Aug. 2026

In Antonioni’s film, after a woman disappears during a boating vacation, her partner and her best friend travel around looking for her, while the bond between them tightens and their grip on the threads of certainty loosens. — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 19 Aug. 2026

November 22 – December 21 Fresh laughter loosens rigid thinking and plans. — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 10 Aug. 2026

Sagittarius November 22 – December 21 Fresh laughter loosens rigid thinking and plans. — Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 10 Aug. 2026

That's the day this work stopped feeling theoretical to me and became proof of what's possible once fear loosens its grip. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026

The afternoon loosens into tapas at Tapeo and whatever the pastry chefs are improvising that week at Bubó. — Condé Nast Traveler, 15 July 2026

The legislation loosens regulations to encourage housing construction and limits Wall Street investors from buying homes that could go to families instead. — Allison Pecorin, ABC News, 11 July 2026

Instead of relying on your own elbow grease (and a lot of bending), a steam cleaner loosens grime using heat and moisture. — Caroline Lubinsky, Martha Stewart, 11 July 2026