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
And more wonders are in development: gene therapies that grow new teeth, stem-cell treatments that coax teeth into filling their own cavities, nanoparticles that loosen teeth so that braces can realign them more easily.
—
Burkhard Bilger, New Yorker, 28 July 2025
If the soil wasn't loosened and pulled back before backfilling, the yard could settle unevenly.
—Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 July 2025
Drop the filters into the soapy water and soak them for 15-30 minutes to easily lift and loosen grease and gunk.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 28 July 2025
Work on resolving your insecurities and loosen the reins.
—Jeanne Phillips, Mercury News, 22 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for loosen
Burkhard Bilger, New Yorker, 28 July 2025
If the soil wasn't loosened and pulled back before backfilling, the yard could settle unevenly.
—Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 July 2025
Drop the filters into the soapy water and soak them for 15-30 minutes to easily lift and loosen grease and gunk.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 28 July 2025
Work on resolving your insecurities and loosen the reins.
—Jeanne Phillips, Mercury News, 22 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for loosen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for loosen
Verb
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One of the elements he’s been working on is relaxing to close races.—
Marcus Thompson II,
New York Times,
2 Aug. 2025
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In a video posted on July 17, with 897 likes, Quintana relaxes on the couch with her young son and their pet cat.—
Rachael O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
2 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The California New Car Dealers Association released its own second-quarter figures that largely paralleled the energy commission’s numbers and percentages.—
Rob Nikolewski,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 Aug. 2025
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The decision ultimately came down to releasing Stroman or optioning Schlitter, and the Yankees chose to cut ties with the veteran.—
Zach Pressnell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
2 Aug. 2025
Verb
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But that would be nothing compared to the hell that might’ve been unleashed within other clubs had Garber acquiesced.—
Ian Nicholas Quillen,
Forbes.com,
26 July 2025
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Five Nights at Freddy's 2 sees Mike and Abby reuniting with the haunted animatronics, unleashing new horrors.—
Allison DeGrushe Published,
EW.com,
25 July 2025
Verb
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The Kremlin shows no sign of easing up its attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure.—
Brendan Cole,
MSNBC Newsweek,
2 Aug. 2025
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Barrels are then transferred to the center of the first floor of the Warehouse E, slowly concentrating the flavors and easing into the correct balance.—
Gege Reed,
The Courier-Journal,
2 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The raptor stayed on top of her, even as the woman’s partner tried to free her.—
Joshua Rapp Learn,
Smithsonian Magazine,
14 July 2025
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And, of course, using social media less could also free up more time for parents to spend playing with their kids.—
Kara Alaimo,
CNN Money,
13 July 2025
Verb
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The courage to do so calls for finding ways to liberate yourself from the inside out when pushing against external structures—whether that be pushback from friends or family who might criticize you for pursuing your desires to systems that weren’t set up to support you to succeed.—
Holly Corbett,
Forbes.com,
28 July 2025
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What happened to Edward and Fritz Niland after the war ended? Edward was found alive in a Japanese POW camp in Rangoon and liberated on May 4, 1945.—
Emily Krauser,
People.com,
24 July 2025
Verb
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Also, though, NIL and transfer portal has loosed college coaches (UCLA) who ‘embolden’ QB Dads by luring kids/families to leave for even more money.—
Joe Rexrode,
New York Times,
29 May 2025
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Ro has loosed them upon the galaxy, striking fear into the heart of even the most stalwart Jedi.—
Dalton Ross,
EW.com,
29 May 2025
Verb
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Two cats, a ferret and a dog were rescued, though the dog, a German shepherd, escaped and has not been found, fire Chief David Haywood said.—
Olivia Stevens,
Chicago Tribune,
14 July 2025
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Two residents were rescued from windows as the house burned.—
Grace Zokovitch,
Boston Herald,
13 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Loosen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/loosen. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.
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