as in loose
not tightly fastened, tied, or stretched
the loosened nuts finally dropped off of the screws
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in relaxed
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in freed
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 unleashed
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 loosened
Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Aug. 2025
Garrett Shanley, Miami Herald, 13 Feb. 2026
Los Angeles loosened conversion rules, allowing commercial buildings just 15 years old to become housing with streamlined city approvals instead of lengthy reviews.
—Roger Vincent, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
The Fed loosened anyway — a rational response to the severe downturn — and inflation remained low for years to come.
—Steve Chapman, Chicago Tribune, 4 Feb. 2026
Travel still isn't recommended, though the rules have loosened a bit on that front, but a travel watch remain in place into Wednesday.
—Jen Guadarrama, IndyStar, 27 Jan. 2026
States and cities that have loosened building constraints are already seeing slower rent growth compared to heavily regulated markets.
—J.d. Hayworth, Boston Herald, 24 Jan. 2026
The state ultimately repressed this uprising, but also loosened some of its rules.
—Nahid Siamdoust, The Atlantic, 23 Jan. 2026
Several states have loosened school vaccine requirements since 2020, and vaccine rates have dropped.
—Amy Maxmen, CBS News, 22 Jan. 2026
Chancellor Friedrich Merz loosened debt laws this year, freeing up cash to boost investment in infrastructure and defense; economists hope the spending spree will result in faster growth this year, but the Bundesbank forecast only a slow recovery.
—Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 19 Jan. 2026
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
Verb
The state recently loosened its reliance on the American Bar Association for law-school accreditation and is working with other red states to build its own alternative regional accreditor, the Commission for Public Higher Education.
—Garrett Shanley, Miami Herald, 13 Feb. 2026
Los Angeles loosened conversion rules, allowing commercial buildings just 15 years old to become housing with streamlined city approvals instead of lengthy reviews.
—Roger Vincent, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
The Fed loosened anyway — a rational response to the severe downturn — and inflation remained low for years to come.
—Steve Chapman, Chicago Tribune, 4 Feb. 2026
Travel still isn't recommended, though the rules have loosened a bit on that front, but a travel watch remain in place into Wednesday.
—Jen Guadarrama, IndyStar, 27 Jan. 2026
States and cities that have loosened building constraints are already seeing slower rent growth compared to heavily regulated markets.
—J.d. Hayworth, Boston Herald, 24 Jan. 2026
The state ultimately repressed this uprising, but also loosened some of its rules.
—Nahid Siamdoust, The Atlantic, 23 Jan. 2026
Several states have loosened school vaccine requirements since 2020, and vaccine rates have dropped.
—Amy Maxmen, CBS News, 22 Jan. 2026
Chancellor Friedrich Merz loosened debt laws this year, freeing up cash to boost investment in infrastructure and defense; economists hope the spending spree will result in faster growth this year, but the Bundesbank forecast only a slow recovery.
—Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 19 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for loosened
Adjective
-
None of these would form the loose, granular snow conditions that compress under skis on Earth and Pluto's gravity only makes things worse.—
Daisy Dobrijevic,
Space.com,
13 Feb. 2026
-
This will get rid of any loose hair, flaky skin, or pesky dandruff.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The last 48 hours have been a whirlwind for Breezy Johnson after winning Olympic gold in Sunday's downhill race, but now she's settled in the moment and said she was relaxed and skiing freely in today's run in the team combined.—
Sean Nevin,
NBC news,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Last year, New Zealand relaxed several of its golden visa requirements to attract more applicants.—
Kathleen Wong,
USA Today,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The deal follows an eventful few years for Spears, who managed to finally be freed of a 13-year conservatorship back in 2021.—
Ethan Millman,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Michael Skakel was convicted of killing Martha Moxley, but freed from prison after a court deemed his lawyer incompetent.—
Jonathan Chait,
The Atlantic,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The video unleashed a flood of tips, NBC News reported.—
Theresa Braine,
New York Daily News,
11 Feb. 2026
-
In response, her government unleashed a brutal and bloody crackdown that only galvanized the movement and brought more people onto the streets.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The mysterious Beast of Sugar Flats Road The head of the Beast of Sugar Flats Road looks like something out of a horror movie with its white-yellow fur, blackish skin, slack jaw, missing teeth and glass eyes.—
Craig Shoup,
Nashville Tennessean,
30 Oct. 2025
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With power diffused among top leaders and their allies in the bureaucracy, party discipline was slack.—
Jonathan A. Czin,
Foreign Affairs,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Today, the pandemic has eased, inflation has cooled, and many workers have been called back to the office.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
7 Feb. 2026
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So nuclear power—under 20% of the grid—reenters the equation thanks to new technologies, growing bipartisan support, and eased regulatory permitting.—
Jordan Blum,
Fortune,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Key Venezuelan opposition figure Juan Pablo Guanipa was arrested by heavily armed men on Sunday night, his supporters said, just hours after he had been released from a jail where he was held as a political prisoner.—
Diego Mendoza,
CNN Money,
9 Feb. 2026
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According to a statement released by Bad Bunny’s publicist, the couple had first invited Bad Bunny to attend their wedding but were instead invited to be part of the Apple Music halftime show performance.—
Andrea Flores,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Kartik Research captured the boho mood in a range of straight-leg jeans with undone hems.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
10 Feb. 2026
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The relaxed fit of Seyfried’s blazer gave the elevated wardrobe staple a more undone, effortless feel.—
Kaelin Dodge,
InStyle,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Loosened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/loosened. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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