as in to facilitate
to free from obstruction or difficulty
hoped that adding a second lane would loosen up traffic on that street
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to relax
to get rid of nervous tension or anxiety
a high-pressure job that makes it hard for him to loosen up even on weekends
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of loosen (up)
Merle Ginsberg, HollywoodReporter, 18 Mar. 2026
But the governing body denied the push to loosen up the rules around recharging the battery on the formation lap.
—Luke Smith, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2026
The Australian group is bringing along Toad the Wet Sprocket and Shonen Knife to loosen up the crowd’s head-bobbing muscles.
—Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 10 Mar. 2026
Raw Silk Skincare Washcloths are an all-natural, reusable exfoliating cloth, designed for gently loosening up dead skin cells and makeup.
—Tory Johnson, ABC News, 10 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for loosen (up)
Verb
Men, once largely confined to safe tuxedos, began loosening up.
—Merle Ginsberg, HollywoodReporter, 18 Mar. 2026
But the governing body denied the push to loosen up the rules around recharging the battery on the formation lap.
—Luke Smith, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2026
The Australian group is bringing along Toad the Wet Sprocket and Shonen Knife to loosen up the crowd’s head-bobbing muscles.
—Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 10 Mar. 2026
Raw Silk Skincare Washcloths are an all-natural, reusable exfoliating cloth, designed for gently loosening up dead skin cells and makeup.
—Tory Johnson, ABC News, 10 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for loosen (up)
Cite this Entry
“Loosen (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/loosen%20%28up%29. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
