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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 The composition slips in and out of deliberation, a tableau of buckets and plates concentrating energy, which the lighter detritus then loosens and disperses. — Kristian Vistrup Madsen, Artforum, 1 Nov. 2026 Here, the book loosens its grip on its wholesome view of the Westish clique, letting its characters do several ugly and petty and longed-for things—letting them, in other words, grow up. — Emma Alpern, Vulture, 26 Oct. 2026 Earlier may be possible, the doctor replied, if the skin around her surgical scar loosens. — Jesse Bedayn, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026 As California loosens its grip as the filming capital of the world, New York is drawing big-name titles at a much faster pace, according to industry tracker ProdPro’s quarterly snapshot released last week. — Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 21 Oct. 2026 When the lid loosens, LINE1 jumps around, DNA damage piles up and biological aging speeds up. — Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Oct. 2026 Fixing Loose Tiles With Hot Glue When tile loosens, one apparently clever home DIY is to reapply it with a hot glue gun. — Lee Wallender, The Spruce, 15 Oct. 2026 Wellhouse Leisure The full Schnierle system begins with airline-style track embedded in the flooring and a quick-press lever that loosens the seat base for repositioning and removal. — New Atlas, 22 Sep. 2026 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for loosens

Verb

Corcoran relaxes with Max in the library on a circa 1900 French iron daybed settee from Fireside Antiques in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

— David Foxley, Architectural Digest, 21 Oct. 2026
Once normal breathing resumes, parasympathetic influence increases, and the body relaxes big time.

— Jessica Sulima, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of relaxes

Verb

Some industry analysts believe drivers will be more willing to pay for technology that frees up their time behind the wheel.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2026
The strengthening formula reduces hair loss from breakage, plus frees the scalp of buildup, diminishes shedding, and makes hair look thicker.

— Reece Andavolgyi, InStyle, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of frees

Verb

In its second outing, a brutal double assassination unleashes a wave of hatred in Spain as CNI head Michelín (Juan Diego Botto) battles to save his wife, kidnapped by the Russian intelligence services.

— John Hopewell, Variety, 27 Oct. 2026
The footage shows Galadriel (Morfydd Clark), Elrond (Robert Aramayo) and Gandalf (Daniel Weyman) rallying the forces of Middle-earth amid battles and romance as Sauron (Charlie Vickers) unleashes his forces.

— James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of unleashes

Verb

At the same time, reducing the amount of energy entering the system eases the load on mitochondria and reduces oxidative stress.

— Rowan Jacobsen, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
Opponents insist that the proposition eases the way for construction of massive data centers.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of eases

Verb

One self attends to these demands, but this liberates a second self to imagine or to interrogate, to dream or to remember, to plan or to play.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 30 Oct. 2026
It’s long ceased to be a neighborhood that puts on airs, an attitude that liberates us all tonight.

— Kat Chen, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of liberates

Verb

That water releases enormous amounts of heat into the atmosphere, shifting weather patterns around the world.

— Ava Berger, NPR, 29 Oct. 2026
Continue reading … -- IN OTHER NEWS GOSPEL QUEST — Popular Christian YouTuber releases biblical fantasy novel meant to challenge today’s dark content.

— , FOXNews.com, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of releases

Verb

Each construction unlocks jobs that wouldn’t have existed otherwise.

— Karishma Mandal, Forbes.com, 30 Oct. 2026
Choosing a white or black midsole unlocks the option to customize the forefoot and heel Air units in matching opaque treatments in addition to the six colors available regardless.

— Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 28 Oct. 2026