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
The announcement applies to all the military services and is the latest in a series of restrictions after years of military services loosening the rules on how troops can look, often at the request of service members themselves.
—
Dave Smith, Fortune, 17 Sep. 2025
This will loosen any bits on the bottom of the oven.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 17 Sep. 2025
Paired with the vibrations of Tibetan singing bowls, the experience eases jet lag, loosens tight muscles and leaves body and mind in a state of meditative calm.
—Katharina Kotrba, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Those guidelines were loosened in 1997, when the FDA said companies could instead summarize the main side effects and direct the public to other sources for more information.
—Lisa Jarvis, Mercury News, 17 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for loosen
Dave Smith, Fortune, 17 Sep. 2025
This will loosen any bits on the bottom of the oven.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 17 Sep. 2025
Paired with the vibrations of Tibetan singing bowls, the experience eases jet lag, loosens tight muscles and leaves body and mind in a state of meditative calm.
—Katharina Kotrba, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Those guidelines were loosened in 1997, when the FDA said companies could instead summarize the main side effects and direct the public to other sources for more information.
—Lisa Jarvis, Mercury News, 17 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for loosen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for loosen
Verb
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The property, located in the heart of Jackson, has an on-site concierge to book safaris, outdoor adventures, and wellness appointments to relax between autumn adventures.—
Stephanie Vermillion,
Travel + Leisure,
14 Sep. 2025
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If caught in a rip current, relax and float.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Authorities have not released information about victim conditions or the total number of people injured in the attack.—
Adeola Adeosun,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Sep. 2025
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Morgan said the victim suffered stab wounds to his hands, chest, lung and abdomen, and was treated and released.—
Jason Green,
Mercury News,
20 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The ambush unleashed a brutal firefight that ended in Ruth's death.—
David K. Li,
NBC news,
18 Sep. 2025
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This step unlocks the spice’s fat-soluble compounds, unleashing its brawny, savory-sweet flavors.—
Jesse Szewczyk,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
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If mortgage rates continue to ease, home shoppers will benefit from more affordable financing.—
Nino Paoli,
Fortune,
19 Sep. 2025
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History shows that rate cuts following a long pause in an easing cycle have given a big boost to smaller names.—
Fred Imbert,
CNBC,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
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But in the years that followed, Syed's judicial game of table tennis continued until he was finally freed from prison in 2022.—
Erin Jensen,
USA Today,
19 Sep. 2025
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The goal is to free up your team’s bandwidth for the strategic relationship work that only humans can do.—
Shawn Pierce,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Some argue the practice is riding on the coattails of Canada’s historical ties to countries such as the Netherlands, which was liberated by Canadian troops during World War II and where Canadians are particularly appreciated.—
Vivian Song,
CNN Money,
18 Sep. 2025
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If a young Parisienne in the nineteen-twenties could feel liberated by the loose tailoring and comfortable fabrics of Coco Chanel’s new suits, Birkin’s generation wanted something even less restrictive.—
Anahid Nersessian,
New Yorker,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In more recent years, fleeting trends and other fashion antics sometimes sidetracked Armani, especially on the runway, where aviator hats or tricky pants — from bloomers to loose, low-crotch styles — won him barbs from critics.—
Luisa Zargani,
Footwear News,
4 Sep. 2025
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Harrison is also a fan of the hair screw tool that’s designed to pick up long strands of hair and loose pet fur with ease.—
Yelena Moroz Alpert,
Architectural Digest,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Juventus managed to come from behind to rescue a 4-4 draw against visiting Borussia Dortmund thanks to a late equalizer by Lloyd Kelly (90+6’).—
Manuel Veth,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
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Lions Tigers & Bears’ mission is to rescue and care for big cats and exotic animals, with a team of veterinarians, groundskeepers, administrative staff and approximately 300 volunteers.—
Carlos Rico,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Loosen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/loosen. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
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