LOOSENS Synonyms: 92 Similar and Opposite Words

loosens

verb

present tense third-person singular of loosen

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

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as in frees

to set free (as from slavery or confinement) the dog ran after the squirrel after he was loosened from the post

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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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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of loosens 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 The lighting becomes darker and the progression of the tasting menu loosens. — Noel Burgess, Forbes.com, 20 July 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 The heat softens and loosens debris in the carpet fibers so it can be vacuumed away. — Bestreviews, Mercury News, 26 June 2026 One of the gentlest is WD-40, which loosens rust, lubricates parts, and helps protect the surface from further rusting. — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 22 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for loosens

Verb

When your diaphragm contracts during breathing, the pelvic floor relaxes and vice versa.

— Dana Santas, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2026
Beyond sleep, tai chi helps lower blood pressure by activating the parasympathetic nervous system, the network of nerves that relaxes the body after stress or danger.

— Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of relaxes

Verb

In a press release, Charman Driver, the board chair of CAM Raleigh, emphasized that selling the building frees up the museum to try new things.

— News Desk, Artforum, 5 Aug. 2026
Consider revising your study schedule this afternoon, because clean structure frees your keen attention to shine.

— Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of frees

Verb

The drone matches him from side to side, then dives into the side of the vehicle and unleashes a fiery blast.

— Yuliya Talmazan, NBC news, 5 Aug. 2026
With the franchise’s trademark blend of extreme gore and dark humor, the Evil Dead backstory centers on the ancient Book of the Dead that unleashes supernatural evil forces and twists victims into sadistic, shape-shifting, near-invincible monsters.

— Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 21 July 2026

Definition of unleashes

Verb

Harvard’s research confirms that AI liberates managers from coordination and relay tasks, freeing them for judgment, contextual intelligence, and human connection that no system can replicate.

— Brett Hurt, Fortune, 23 June 2026
Where Beyoncé added poetic interludes between songs, in Songs from the Hole, the audience learns about Jacobs' story and how his music spiritually liberates him while simultaneously being among the reasons officials cited for not granting him parole.

— Kara Frame, NPR, 12 Mar. 2026

Definition of liberates

Verb

Infused with menthol and essential oils, each steamer releases a refreshing scent for 10 to 15 minutes and is individually wrapped for easy storage or travel.

— ABC News, ABC News, 8 Aug. 2026
In Chicago, a police watchdog agency routinely releases body camera video of shootings and other serious use-of-force incidents within 60 days.

— Ryan J. Foley, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026