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
In a regulatory win for SpaceX, the Federal Communications Commission has decided to loosen radio emission rules for the cellular Starlink system.
—
Michael Kan, PCMAG, 7 Mar. 2025
The prospective partners in Germany's next government are seeking to loosen the nation's rules on running up debt to allow for higher defense spending.
—arkansasonline.com, 6 Mar. 2025
Recently, this has become easier, with some major platforms loosening their content moderation rules under the guise of free speech.
—Tamar Mitts, TIME, 6 Mar. 2025
Merz pushed plans this week to loosen his nation’s rules on running up debt to allow for higher defense spending.
—Raf Casert and Lorne Cook, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for loosen
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Michael Kan, PCMAG, 7 Mar. 2025
The prospective partners in Germany's next government are seeking to loosen the nation's rules on running up debt to allow for higher defense spending.
—arkansasonline.com, 6 Mar. 2025
Recently, this has become easier, with some major platforms loosening their content moderation rules under the guise of free speech.
—Tamar Mitts, TIME, 6 Mar. 2025
Merz pushed plans this week to loosen his nation’s rules on running up debt to allow for higher defense spending.
—Raf Casert and Lorne Cook, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for loosen
Articles Related to loosen
Cite this Entry
“Loosen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/loosen. Accessed 16 Mar. 2025.
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