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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of loosens
Instead of stimulating the brain, alcohol slows it down and loosens inhibitions.
—
Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 10 Jan. 2026
If TNF‑α loosens the blood-brain barrier, inflammatory molecules from the blood – as well as disease-causing pathogens – may have increased access to the reward circuitry of the brain, potentially worsening neuronal damage and dysfunction over time.
—Habibeh Khoshbouei, The Conversation, 9 Jan. 2026
Recipe Tips From The Test Kitchen High-heat blistering the chiles loosens the skins.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 3 Jan. 2026
Before a big race or presentation, the AI Massage gets blood flowing and loosens tight muscles.
—Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 10 Dec. 2025
Fortunately, the BreezyClear Pro is equipped to address all the baby’s needs from the beginning to the end of the decongestion process; by briefly misting the nasal passages, the device loosens mucus so its powerful suction can remove it quickly and without fuss.
—Ethan Stone, USA Today, 28 Oct. 2025
Ray’s hand loosens its grip on the weapon.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 28 Sep. 2025
Paired with the vibrations of Tibetan singing bowls, the experience eases jet lag, loosens tight muscles and leaves body and mind in a state of meditative calm.
—Katharina Kotrba, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
In such a scenario, reminiscent of the ‘70s, if the Fed loosens policy prematurely, inflation could spike, leading to the painful corrective measures seen under Powell’s predecessor Paul Volcker, who hiked rates aggressively and weathered severe, double-dip recessions.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 2 Sep. 2025
Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 10 Jan. 2026
If TNF‑α loosens the blood-brain barrier, inflammatory molecules from the blood – as well as disease-causing pathogens – may have increased access to the reward circuitry of the brain, potentially worsening neuronal damage and dysfunction over time.
—Habibeh Khoshbouei, The Conversation, 9 Jan. 2026
Recipe Tips From The Test Kitchen High-heat blistering the chiles loosens the skins.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 3 Jan. 2026
Before a big race or presentation, the AI Massage gets blood flowing and loosens tight muscles.
—Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 10 Dec. 2025
Fortunately, the BreezyClear Pro is equipped to address all the baby’s needs from the beginning to the end of the decongestion process; by briefly misting the nasal passages, the device loosens mucus so its powerful suction can remove it quickly and without fuss.
—Ethan Stone, USA Today, 28 Oct. 2025
Ray’s hand loosens its grip on the weapon.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 28 Sep. 2025
Paired with the vibrations of Tibetan singing bowls, the experience eases jet lag, loosens tight muscles and leaves body and mind in a state of meditative calm.
—Katharina Kotrba, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
In such a scenario, reminiscent of the ‘70s, if the Fed loosens policy prematurely, inflation could spike, leading to the painful corrective measures seen under Powell’s predecessor Paul Volcker, who hiked rates aggressively and weathered severe, double-dip recessions.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 2 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for loosens
Verb
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The notice relaxes the safe harbor in reg.—
Carrie Brandon Elliot,
Forbes.com,
20 Jan. 2026
-
Potassium relaxes the muscles in your blood vessels, helping lower your blood pressure.—
Lindsay Curtis,
Verywell Health,
20 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Psychologically, this frees him from the curse of the suicidally idle rich.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
19 Jan. 2026
-
Though he was fired from M-Tex Oil by Cami (Demi Moore), that frees him up to launch his own oil company with his son Cooper (Jacob Lofland), who is no longer being charged with the murder of the man who attacked his fiancée, Ariana (Paulina Chávez).—
Emily Tannenbaum,
Glamour,
19 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In the clip, EJAE unleashes her powerful, stripped down vocals for the emotional ballad (which has been covered by the likes of Mariah Carey) in a glamorous bathroom that features a double vanity as well as a white grand piano, singing into an appropriately golden mic.—
Anna Chan,
Billboard,
21 Jan. 2026
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The moment where Godzilla unleashes his atomic breath is a moment of unparalleled horror and, in a perverse way, beauty.—
James Grebey,
Vulture,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The storm will taper off Sunday night as the storm responsible for the winter storm slowly eases northeast away from our area.—
Cutter Martin,
CBS News,
22 Jan. 2026
-
As winter rain eases, the city fills with blossoms—cherry trees along Tom McCall Waterfront Park bloom in late March and early April, followed by tulips (the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival in nearby Woodburn is a great detour) and roses (of course, don't miss the International Rose Test Garden).—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
20 Jan. 2026
Verb
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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
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Clearing missions liberates the different Hyrule regions from Ganondorf's control and earns resources to level up your characters and their weapons.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The Traitors releases new episodes every Thursday on Peacock.—
Sydney Bucksbaum,
Entertainment Weekly,
20 Jan. 2026
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When the body encounters cedar pollen, the immune system releases a cascade of inflammatory chemicals.—
Miriam Fauzia,
Dallas Morning News,
20 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Every deployment contributes to grid stability, unlocks growth for AI and electrified industries, and advances energy independence—all while creating opportunities for skilled jobs and local investment.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
23 Jan. 2026
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This unlocks new visual languages and stronger emotional bridges, driving what has the potential to become the most transformative era in creative history.—
David Bloom,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Loosens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/loosens. Accessed 25 Jan. 2026.
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