loosened; loosening
ˈlü-sᵊn-iŋ 
ˈlüs-niŋ
1
: to release from restraint
2
: to make looser
loosened his tie
loosen a screw
3
: to relieve (the bowels) of constipation
4
: to cause or permit to become less strict
—often used with up
loosened the rules
: to become loose or looser
Examples of loosen in a Sentence
He used a spade to loosen the soil.
She loosened the cake from the sides of the pan.
After eating so much I had to loosen my belt.
When the meeting was over he loosened his tie.
One of the screws had loosened a bit and had to be tightened.
Each generation seems to loosen the established standards of behavior.
Standards of behavior seem to be loosening everywhere.
Recent Examples on the Web
Mikhail Gorbachev restructured the Soviet Union’s planned economy and loosened censorship.
—
Chang Che, The New Yorker, 21 Dec. 2024
In a win for filmmakers, the U.S. Senate has given final approval to a bill loosening restrictions around shooting in national parks without a permit.
—Winston Cho, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Dec. 2024
There have been dozens of complaints about the harness unexpectedly loosening, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
—Jeremy Tanner, The Hill, 20 Dec. 2024
As workers fight back against the strong RTO sentiment, the survey finds that companies are starting to loosen their rigid approach to an on-site mandate.
—Bryan Robinson, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for loosen 
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Chang Che, The New Yorker, 21 Dec. 2024
In a win for filmmakers, the U.S. Senate has given final approval to a bill loosening restrictions around shooting in national parks without a permit.
—Winston Cho, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Dec. 2024
There have been dozens of complaints about the harness unexpectedly loosening, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
—Jeremy Tanner, The Hill, 20 Dec. 2024
As workers fight back against the strong RTO sentiment, the survey finds that companies are starting to loosen their rigid approach to an on-site mandate.
—Bryan Robinson, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for loosen
Articles Related to loosen
Dictionary Entries Near loosen
Cite this Entry
“Loosen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/loosen. Accessed 9 Jan. 2025.
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