as in facilitates
to free from obstruction or difficulty
hoped that adding a second lane would loosen up traffic on that street
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in relaxes
to get rid of nervous tension or anxiety
a high-pressure job that makes it hard for him to loosen up even on weekends
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of loosens (up)
Don Sweeney,
Sacbee.com,
31 Mar. 2026
Snug at the hips and thigh, the silhouette loosens up at the knee into a true straight leg.
—
Genevieve Cepeda,
InStyle,
4 Mar. 2026
Parker’s series starts out with too much bellowing and yelling along with hazing and bullying but loosens up and broadens out to peer into the lives of other recruits who are wrestling with demons and sometimes each other.
—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
But mortgage rates could slowly come down once the tension in the Middle East loosens up.
—
Don Sweeney,
Sacbee.com,
31 Mar. 2026
Snug at the hips and thigh, the silhouette loosens up at the knee into a true straight leg.
—
Genevieve Cepeda,
InStyle,
4 Mar. 2026
Parker’s series starts out with too much bellowing and yelling along with hazing and bullying but loosens up and broadens out to peer into the lives of other recruits who are wrestling with demons and sometimes each other.
—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
16 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for loosens (up)
Verb
-
Critics of the ballot initiative say that Measure ULA provides a crucial tax funnel that facilitates affordable housing development and funding for social services.
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The Middle East conflict prompted the Iranian closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a maritime trading route that facilitates the transport of about one-fifth of global oil supply.
Verb
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Within a few minutes, the sphincter muscle usually relaxes to allow for a bowel movement.
-
The wind relaxes a bit mid-week, but temps will still hover around the low 90s.
Cite this Entry
“Loosens (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/loosens%20%28up%29. Accessed 1 Jul. 2026.
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