1
as in relaxing
to make less taut
the lead climber loosened the climbing rope so that the other climber could have more room to maneuver
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in freeing
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 unleashing
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
as in unfixing
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Recent Examples of loosening
Franklin Schneider, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2025
In other instances, the loosening of vaccine mandates has been reversed after outbreaks.
—Miami Herald, 10 Sep. 2025
In due course the informality and loosening of the customs around dressing would take people all the way to grunge and eventually, in the new millennium, put CEOs of multimillion-dollar companies in hoodies.
—Belinda Luscombe, Time, 5 Sep. 2025
The loosening of the policy around police pursuits has drawn criticism from some, including longtime advocate Jon Farris, who previously lived in Milwaukee and whose son was killed as a bystander during a police chase in Massachusetts.
—Jack Albright, jsonline.com, 9 Aug. 2025
Marni Rose McFall Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025
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
Far infrared heat is highly effective in loosening tight muscles and joints.
—Michelle Stansbury, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 2025
Ingredients Directions Remove and discard the thin outer membrane on back of ribs by loosening it with a sharp knife and pulling it off.
—Jasmine Smith, Southern Living, 24 Aug. 2025
Psychedelics offer unique ways to potentially relieve suffering by loosening that rigid self-focus.
—Christopher Timmermann, Big Think, 20 Aug. 2025
When companies like Meta are loosening guardrails, regulators must tighten them to protect children and families.
—Annie Chestnut Tutor, Boston Herald, 18 Aug. 2025
But Ukrainian officials on Tuesday warned that their grip on the front lines was loosening, after months of incremental Russian gains, driven by Moscow’s superior manpower.
—Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 12 Aug. 2025
Several departments have seen a surge in applications after nixing college education requirements, but there are some signs that loosening standards doesn't necessarily solve staffing problems.
—N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 10 Aug. 2025
Verb
When so many of today’s complaints—the loneliness of young people, the torturous dating market, the loosening of community bonds—come down to interpersonal alienation, the idea of American culture returning to a primal, highly evolved signal of kinship and compatibility is tantalizing.
—Franklin Schneider, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2025
In other instances, the loosening of vaccine mandates has been reversed after outbreaks.
—Miami Herald, 10 Sep. 2025
In due course the informality and loosening of the customs around dressing would take people all the way to grunge and eventually, in the new millennium, put CEOs of multimillion-dollar companies in hoodies.
—Belinda Luscombe, Time, 5 Sep. 2025
The loosening of the policy around police pursuits has drawn criticism from some, including longtime advocate Jon Farris, who previously lived in Milwaukee and whose son was killed as a bystander during a police chase in Massachusetts.
—Jack Albright, jsonline.com, 9 Aug. 2025
Noun
The nature of the merger will require approval from the FCC, which will likely involve loosening longstanding ownership regulations.
—Marni Rose McFall Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025
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
Far infrared heat is highly effective in loosening tight muscles and joints.
—Michelle Stansbury, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 2025
Ingredients Directions Remove and discard the thin outer membrane on back of ribs by loosening it with a sharp knife and pulling it off.
—Jasmine Smith, Southern Living, 24 Aug. 2025
Psychedelics offer unique ways to potentially relieve suffering by loosening that rigid self-focus.
—Christopher Timmermann, Big Think, 20 Aug. 2025
When companies like Meta are loosening guardrails, regulators must tighten them to protect children and families.
—Annie Chestnut Tutor, Boston Herald, 18 Aug. 2025
But Ukrainian officials on Tuesday warned that their grip on the front lines was loosening, after months of incremental Russian gains, driven by Moscow’s superior manpower.
—Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 12 Aug. 2025
Several departments have seen a surge in applications after nixing college education requirements, but there are some signs that loosening standards doesn't necessarily solve staffing problems.
—N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 10 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for loosening
Verb
-
The two, three, and even four-bedroom residences are spacious, feature mature olive trees, relaxing grounds, and gourmet kitchens.—
Michael Goldstein,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Skip the sheep-counting and cup of chamomile, and luxuriate in the sleep-inducing blend of calming lavender oil, soothing balsam resin, moisturizing sweet almond oil, and relaxing magnesium salt flakes instead.—
Sophia Panych,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
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This keeps your presence consistent while freeing you from daily distractions and unhelpful comparisons.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
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Safety tips for solo travel Traveling by yourself can feel hugely freeing.—
Lucy Handley,
CNBC,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Never one to shy away from making a scene at the annual Düsseldorf Caravan Salon, Bürstner came on mission this year, unleashing a furious innovation offensive that included novelties like a moving bathroom and a small semi-integrated motorhome dressed up like a camper van.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
15 Sep. 2025
-
The fear of unleashing forces beyond control has haunted science for centuries.—
Thomas Moynihan,
Big Think,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Economists like Deutsche Bank’s Jim Reid and UBS’s Paul Donovan cautioned that while headline data supports easing, the details reveal more mixed pressures that Powell will need to weigh.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
11 Sep. 2025
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But when approached strategically, building muscle strength can be one of the most effective tools for easing discomfort and improving everyday function.—
Dana Santas,
CNN Money,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
By carefully adjusting the conditions of its trap and then releasing it briefly, the researchers could measure its velocity distribution.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
19 Sep. 2025
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In his ruling, Finigan determined the county had waived its right to claim attorney-client or work-product privilege by publicly releasing Cordell’s report, which included her findings and impressions of witnesses.—
Ryan Macasero,
Mercury News,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Speaking of unlocking the full potential of the offense, rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson needs more playing time.—
Doug Kyed,
Boston Herald,
13 Sep. 2025
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But unlocking a career opportunity today may take more depth than simply sharing a business card.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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That means hanging out with old friends less, making more of an effort to meet new ones, letting go of some old hobbies to explore new ones, detaching from my hometown and maybe even getting a new job.—
Harriette Cole,
Mercury News,
11 Sep. 2025
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Airport officials voted to begin detaching themselves from Highfill in September 2023, and the sides have been in court and before the Arkansas Legislature multiple times since.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
19 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Still, not every architect involved has found the project’s carte blanche approach liberating.—
Siobhan Reid,
Robb Report,
7 Sep. 2025
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His messaging consistently demonstrates that true success is an inside job, a byproduct of liberating oneself of mental constraints.—
Wyles Daniel,
USA Today,
28 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Loosening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/loosening. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
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