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 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for loosens

Verb

And then of course the jacuzzi, which releases tension and relaxes the muscles.

— Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Aug. 2026
The advocates argue that the bill relaxes age-verification requirements and includes an advertising carveout for Google.

— Benjamin Guggenheim, Washington Post, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of relaxes

Verb

That frees you to focus on the decisions that actually require judgment.

— Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2026
On paper, this sounds great, as being untethered from the restraints and stifling confines of physical cords frees you up to live a more fulfilled digital life.

— William Jones, jsonline.com, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of frees

Verb

Reuniting much of the cast of his Nosferatu, Robert Eggers unleashes a furry shapeshifter on a 13th-century village.

— A.A. Dowd, Vulture, 8 Sep. 2026
The Troop follows a troop of boys who, while on their annual scout camping trip, encounter an intruder who unleashes something far more terrifying than any campfire ghost story.

— Matt Grobar, Deadline, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of unleashes

Verb

Even more, gas prices typically enjoy some relief over the course of the fall as fuel use eases as people stay indoors.

— Max Zahn, ABC News, 14 Sep. 2026
The schedule eases up the rest of the way, but the disappointment from Badgers faithful was a stark reminder of just how hot the head coach’s seat is this season.

— The Athletic College Football Staff, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of eases

Verb

Although the prisoner releases substantially reduced the number of people held for political reasons, nongovernmental organizations estimate that as many as 500 remain in detention.

— Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 16 Sep. 2026
The ongoing boom in that class of drugs should continue to drive value to Eli Lilly, particularly as the company releases new GLP-1s with easier delivery methods.

— Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of releases

Verb

Subverting the unassuming realism of the city with the twisted unreality of this level design not only heightens the uncanny factor but also unlocks more design creativity.

— Jordan Minor, PC Magazine, 18 Sep. 2026
Sadiq, with his versatility, is the key that unlocks those groupings.

— Zack Rosenblatt, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026