1
as in loosened
not tightly fastened, tied, or stretched
secure your neckerchief with a loose knot
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in unconsolidated
consisting of particles that do not stick together
the car wheels slipped on the loose gravel in the driveway
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in flexible
not bound by rigid standards
we tend to be loose with the dress code when we aren't hosting clients at the office
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in free
not bound, confined, or detained by force
there was a brief panic when the lion got loose from its cage at the zoo
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in approximate
not precisely correct
a loose guess about the size of the crowd at the outdoor concert
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in corrupt
having or showing lowered moral character or standards
the loose life that he led in the years before he settled down and found his path
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to fire
to cause (a projectile) to be driven forward with force
the archers loosed a great volley of arrows at the foot soldiers charging towards them
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to unleash
to find emotional release for
do not loose your pent-up frustrations on the next person who happens by
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to free
to set free (as from slavery or confinement)
the ranchers loosed the horses from their stables and into the paddock
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to loosen
to set free (from a state of being held in check)
the storm loosed its full fury when it hit the coastline at high tide
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 loose
Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 19 Sep. 2025
The faint trail climbs through forest, up loose scree, and then disappears entirely.
—R29 Team, Refinery29, 19 Sep. 2025
Max Levy, Denver Post, 16 May 2025
Unsurprisingly, markets and investors are loosing their patience with BP.
—Gaurav Sharma, Forbes.com, 20 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for loose
Adjective
Boston was left alone under the basket for an easy layup after Brionna Jones went to the ground while going for a loose ball.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 19 Sep. 2025
The faint trail climbs through forest, up loose scree, and then disappears entirely.
—R29 Team, Refinery29, 19 Sep. 2025
Verb
Another group of 10 wolves captured in Oregon was loosed in December 2023.
—Max Levy, Denver Post, 16 May 2025
Unsurprisingly, markets and investors are loosing their patience with BP.
—Gaurav Sharma, Forbes.com, 20 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for loose
Recent Examples of Synonyms for loose
Adjective
-
Next, carefully remove the bowl from the microwave and use a microfiber cloth to wipe away all the loosened grime.—
Maria Sabella,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Management identified a material weakness in internal controls related to verifying information from unconsolidated subsidiaries, which has been addressed with new procedures.—
Quartz Intelligence Newsroom,
Quartz,
1 Apr. 2025
-
Related article Massive sinkhole threatens to swallow West Virginia police department Takashi Oguchi, a geographer from the University of Tokyo, said sinkholes are rare in Japan, where most roads are built on unconsolidated fluvial and marine sediments.—
Yumi Asada, Chris Lau and Minori Konishi,
CNN,
31 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
For Rainero, that kind of flexible thinking was part of the original design and the Cartier way.—
Lily Templeton,
Footwear News,
19 Sep. 2025
-
The set includes two bundles of hibiscus-like flowers, made with flexible branches and crafted with plastic and faux silk that’s built to withstand intense UV rays and outdoor elements.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
19 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Fred Johnson had reliably served as the team’s swing tackle in 2024 before pursuing a starting role with the Jacksonville Jaguars in free agency.—
Brooks Kubena,
New York Times,
22 Sep. 2025
-
On Sunday, he was lionized as a Christian martyr and patriot committed to free expression and challenging liberal orthodoxy.—
Fortune,
Fortune,
22 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The approximate number of Americans who died fighting the Nazis in World War II.—
Nick Canepa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Sep. 2025
-
The map above shows the evacuation area in red and the approximate fire perimeter as a black line.—
Bay Area News Group,
Mercury News,
9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The president wants justice and accountability for the many corrupt criminals and politicians who weaponized our justice system against him and his millions of patriotic supporters.—
Khaleda Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Sep. 2025
-
Others point a finger at the PA, which remains deeply unpopular among Palestinians and is seen by many as weak, corrupt and lacking legitimacy.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN Money,
20 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
In a series of posts on X, Steak ‘n Shake’s official account issued calls for Cracker Barrel CEO Julie Felss Masino to be fired.—
Lily Mae Lazarus,
Fortune,
18 Sep. 2025
-
Dell’s downward-firing speakers, positioned underneath each side of the chassis, project decent sound quality if the laptop rests on a solid surface, not your lap.—
Charles Jefferies,
PC Magazine,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The ambush unleashed a brutal firefight that ended in Ruth's death.—
David K. Li,
NBC news,
18 Sep. 2025
-
This step unlocks the spice’s fat-soluble compounds, unleashing its brawny, savory-sweet flavors.—
Jesse Szewczyk,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
18 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Loose.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/loose. Accessed 23 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share