1
as in to relax
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to release
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 to unleash
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 loosen
The global soybean balance sheet is loosening, that is to say production and supplies are increasing faster than demand.
—
Sal Gilbertie, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
In the first season of The Buccaneers, a group of fun-loving young American girls loosened the tightly corseted London scene of the 1870s on the brink of The Gilded Age in America.
—Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 18 Mar. 2025
Iran’s government has, accordingly, loosened some of its restrictions.
—Mohammad Ayatollahi Tabaar, Foreign Affairs, 17 Mar. 2025
Raking also loosens the soil which will provide better seed-to-soil contact.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for loosen
Sal Gilbertie, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
In the first season of The Buccaneers, a group of fun-loving young American girls loosened the tightly corseted London scene of the 1870s on the brink of The Gilded Age in America.
—Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 18 Mar. 2025
Iran’s government has, accordingly, loosened some of its restrictions.
—Mohammad Ayatollahi Tabaar, Foreign Affairs, 17 Mar. 2025
Raking also loosens the soil which will provide better seed-to-soil contact.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for loosen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for loosen
Verb
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Patients can also learn to perform self-trigger point release at home using their own fingers, a partner, a pelvic wand or vaginal dilators to help relax the internal muscles.—
Julianna Bragg,
CNN,
22 Mar. 2025
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The slow ride across is relaxing and often yields dolphin sightings.—
Jennifer Stewart Kornegay,
Southern Living,
22 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Most of the captives have been released in ceasefire agreements or other deals, but Israeli forces rescued eight alive and recovered dozens of bodies.—
Landon Mion,
Fox News,
23 Mar. 2025
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The pope had previously only been seen once during his lengthy hospital stay when the Vatican released a photograph of Francis praying at the hospital’s chapel.—
Christopher Lamb,
CNN,
23 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Chaos ensues, unleashing a menace that threatens to destroy the city.—
Rob Salkowitz,
Forbes,
18 Mar. 2025
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Over the past few months, the Trump Administration has unleashed an all-out assault on transgender people.—
Rev. Dr. Serene Jones,
TIME,
17 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Officials have repeatedly hinted at its plan of further rate easing this year but have not yet followed through.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
21 Mar. 2025
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Automation offers relief by assisting with tasks like weapon screening, easing staff burdens and speeding operations.—
Chris Ciabarra,
Forbes,
21 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Companies can focus on strategic goals and innovation by freeing their teams from repetitive, manual work.—
Michael Goshka,
Forbes,
17 Mar. 2025
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This second phase was to begin with an agreement on permanently ending the war before the release of all living Israeli hostages held by Hamas in exchange for Israeli freeing high-profile Palestinian prisoners.—
Aya Batrawy,
NPR,
17 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The good news is that Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s legitimate government have already done the heavy lifting, liberating around 80% of Yemeni territory.—
Benjamin Weinthal,
Fox News,
18 Mar. 2025
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Women are finding building businesses as a way to step ahead in their financial lives, as well as to liberate themselves from what could feel like a glass box for many.—
Alejandra Rojas,
Forbes,
13 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Even before the rains, rockslides loosed by the wildfire had tumbled onto the road.—
Trevor Hughes,
USA TODAY,
8 Feb. 2025
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Between the lines: OpenAI views Operator as the first baby steps toward loosing its AI on the world beyond ChatGPT's window.—
Megan Morrone,
Axios,
24 Jan. 2025
Verb
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So Nate decides to use his congenital insensitivity to pain (ICP) to his advantage and rescue the girl of his dreams.—
Brian Davids,
The Hollywood Reporter,
17 Mar. 2025
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The Day The Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie from Ketchup Entertainment, turned indie after being rescued from Warner Bros., opened to $3.17 million on 2,827 screens.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
16 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Loosen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/loosen. Accessed 31 Mar. 2025.
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