as in to facilitate
to free from obstruction or difficulty
hoped that adding a second lane would loosen up traffic on that street
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to relax
to get rid of nervous tension or anxiety
a high-pressure job that makes it hard for him to loosen up even on weekends
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of loosen (up)
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
17 June 2026
If the plant was root bound in its pot, consider pulling it out of the ground, loosening up the roots so water can penetrate, and replanting it.
—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
7 June 2026
Georgie pleads, but Meemaw believes that Fred might help Mary loosen up.
—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
22 May 2026
To loosen up the atmosphere, Amazon had open bars on all levels of the Beacon Theatre during its presentation.
—
Alex Weprin,
HollywoodReporter,
18 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for loosen (up)
Verb
The market could loosen up if mortgage rates were to ease, Ken Johnson, a real estate economist at the University of Mississippi.
—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
17 June 2026
If the plant was root bound in its pot, consider pulling it out of the ground, loosening up the roots so water can penetrate, and replanting it.
—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
7 June 2026
Georgie pleads, but Meemaw believes that Fred might help Mary loosen up.
—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
22 May 2026
To loosen up the atmosphere, Amazon had open bars on all levels of the Beacon Theatre during its presentation.
—
Alex Weprin,
HollywoodReporter,
18 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for loosen (up)
Recent Examples of Synonyms for loosen (up)
Verb
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Rodríguez said emergency economic measures will include relief funds for victims and temporary waivers on documentation and property registration fees to facilitate housing relocation.
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By waiving the legislation, foreign vessels could facilitate the transport of petroleum and fertilizer throughout the country’s ports, thus reducing potential supply disruptions that could further hike fuel prices.
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.
Cite this Entry
“Loosen (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/loosen%20%28up%29. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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