1
as in to relax
to make less taut
the lead climber loosened the climbing rope so that the other climber could have more room to maneuver
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to release
to set free (as from slavery or confinement)
the dog ran after the squirrel after he was loosened from the post
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to unleash
to set free (from a state of being held in check)
once he got to know us better, his inhibitions loosened a bit
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of loosen
Plus, the straps can be tightened or loosened to your liking.
—
Emily Weaver,
PEOPLE,
1 July 2026
When that identity began to loosen, my relationship with my son, my wife, and my family changed in ways that were more intimate and more meaningful than any external success.
—
Dr. Shaoqing Sun,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2026
The ruling is the latest in a series of Supreme Court decisions that have loosened campaign finance restrictions, overturning a 2001 precedent that upheld the spending limits.
—
Michel Martin,
NPR,
1 July 2026
The cheers rose in volume when Williams bounded to the center of the court and shuffled side to side like a boxer, loosening her shoulder joint and getting used to the feeling of grass beneath her feet again.
—
Ava Wallace,
New York Times,
30 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for loosen
Emily Weaver,
PEOPLE,
1 July 2026
When that identity began to loosen, my relationship with my son, my wife, and my family changed in ways that were more intimate and more meaningful than any external success.
—
Dr. Shaoqing Sun,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2026
The ruling is the latest in a series of Supreme Court decisions that have loosened campaign finance restrictions, overturning a 2001 precedent that upheld the spending limits.
—
Michel Martin,
NPR,
1 July 2026
The cheers rose in volume when Williams bounded to the center of the court and shuffled side to side like a boxer, loosening her shoulder joint and getting used to the feeling of grass beneath her feet again.
—
Ava Wallace,
New York Times,
30 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for loosen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for loosen
Verb
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Marcy Park is a place where families, pets, and Highlands Ranch residents go to relax, and where Laura Nelson saw an opportunity to engage with her community.
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One of its earliest central promises was to relax Howard’s gun laws.
Verb
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Linda Parisi, Blake Rakela’s defense attorney, has asked the court to set bail and allow her client to be released while the criminal case proceeds.
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As of Monday, the father was treated and released from a hospital, where his 11-year-old remained in stable condition.
Verb
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In the 82nd minute, Malik Tillman stepped up to a free kick on the edge of the penalty area and unleashed an absolute wonderstrike.
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Yamal was a thorn in Saudi Arabia’s side, drifting infield to unleash shots from distance but also peppering the penalty area with wicked deliveries from the right flank.
Verb
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Despite hot, humid conditions, a respectable crowd has already gathered, with organizers expecting attendance to grow as temperatures ease later this evening.
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This would let traffic flow, which is so necessary for the vitality and economy of Chicago; provide a safer route for bikers; and ease the frustration of all of those on the streets of Chicago.
Verb
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Crews stabilized the pickup before performing a technical extrication to free the driver.
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The flywheel does not need to be replaced every 3-5 years and can be installed outdoors, freeing up more space and cash for compute.
Verb
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When the United States invaded the Philippines during the Spanish-American War, Twain naively imagined that the country would be liberated and turned into a republic.
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Automation that was meant to liberate becomes a maze of fragile scripts and blame-shifting alerts.
Verb
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The ClearBell colony loosing ClearBells like snowflakes into the water.
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Co-regulating your emotions alongside your toddler can help achieve a resolution to conflict without raising your voice or loosing your temper.
Verb
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Analysts credit the 2011 purchase of NBCUniversal as a huge success; Comcast rescued a company that was on the ropes due to General Electric’s under-investment.
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The infant, who is 9 months old, was rescued along with her mother, the State Department told Fox News Digital.
Cite this Entry
“Loosen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/loosen. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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