loosen up

verb

loosened up; loosening up; loosens up

intransitive verb

: to become less tense : relax

Examples of loosen up in a Sentence

hoped that adding a second lane would loosen up traffic on that street a high-pressure job that makes it hard for him to loosen up even on weekends
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
At least twice, that has loosened up in the morning. Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 July 2025 Earth signs Leo season can feel a bit intense and push earth signs to loosen up and connect with passion and purpose. Alexis Simmerman, Austin American Statesman, 24 July 2025 In the series’s second season, though, when Dream is loosening up and reconsidering himself, his metamorphosis falls into a pattern that is ultimately monotonous. Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 24 July 2025 Anderson said he’s loosened up as the show progresses. Pamela McLoughlin, Hartford Courant, 17 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for loosen up

Word History

First Known Use

1922, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of loosen up was in 1922

Cite this Entry

“Loosen up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/loosen%20up. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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