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 bill also loosens rules around building increasingly popular accessory dwelling units (ADUs) — such as granny flats, in-law suites or backyard cottages — alongside existing structures.
—
Bob Woods, CNBC, 29 Mar. 2026
So Suzuki, a former catcher, tried to loosen him up by telling him a story.
—Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 28 Mar. 2026
Other people’s reactions bleed into your own experience; the boundary between self and crowd loosens.
—Yook Jihun, Popular Science, 26 Mar. 2026
Trump has given Iran the deadline to loosen its grip on the critical maritime passage for the oil and shipping trades after extending his initial deadline Monday evening by five days, citing progress in peace negotiations.
—Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for loosen
Bob Woods, CNBC, 29 Mar. 2026
So Suzuki, a former catcher, tried to loosen him up by telling him a story.
—Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 28 Mar. 2026
Other people’s reactions bleed into your own experience; the boundary between self and crowd loosens.
—Yook Jihun, Popular Science, 26 Mar. 2026
Trump has given Iran the deadline to loosen its grip on the critical maritime passage for the oil and shipping trades after extending his initial deadline Monday evening by five days, citing progress in peace negotiations.
—Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for loosen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for loosen
Verb
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The agency waived age limits for new recruits, relaxed its vetting process, and decreased the training period for incoming officers.—
Oriana van Praag,
New Yorker,
28 Mar. 2026
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Also, a mule has the rare quality of looking very polished and relaxed at the same time.—
Alex Sales,
Glamour,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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He was released on bail late Friday night, according to The Associated Press.—
Melissa Gaffney,
CBS News,
28 Mar. 2026
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Aaron spent long hours at his computer answering queries, fixing bugs, and releasing updates to serve his growing base.—
Oriana van Praag,
New Yorker,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
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This crisis is a direct result of chaos unleashed on the American people by Democrats in Congress.—
Billal Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
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After a quick hit-ahead pass, Mullins got the ball back and unleashed a 35-foot 3-pointer for the win.—
Rohan Nadkarni,
NBC news,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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With no sign of Tehran easing its blockade of the strait, oil prices were back up and stock values fell.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
28 Mar. 2026
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That could ease cost pressures for hardware buyers such as server makers, with Evercore ISI pointing to potential upside for companies including Dell Technologies and Hewlett Packard Enterprise if lower memory requirements improve system economics.—
Yun Li,
CNBC,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Initial efforts to free it and coax it back toward deeper water, including using coast guard and fire department boats to create large waves, were unsuccessful.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Mar. 2026
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Ahead of the larger summer crowds, Makwana said police will have support from park rangers and parking enforcement officers to free up SDPD officers to focus on public safety issues.—
Noah Lyons,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Get them, and liberate your ears with epic sound.—
Juhi Wadia,
PC Magazine,
31 Mar. 2026
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On Shabbat, the Acheinu, a prayer for liberating those held in captivity, was recited from the bimah, an elevated platform where sermons are often delivered.—
Eyal Press,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Co-regulating your emotions alongside your toddler can help achieve a resolution to conflict without raising your voice or loosing your temper.—
Sara Rowe Mount,
Parents,
26 Jan. 2026
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Harrison is also a fan of the hair screw tool that’s designed to pick up long strands of hair and loose pet fur with ease.—
Yelena Moroz Alpert,
Architectural Digest,
23 Dec. 2025
Verb
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But Emma said the Russian government showed little interest in rescuing her sister, pointing to Elizabeth's public opinions online as a human rights activist.—
Erin Moriarty,
CBS News,
29 Mar. 2026
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This gentle girl was a stray who was rescued and has adjusted well to her new environment.—
Maryanne Dell,
Oc Register,
28 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Loosen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/loosen. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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