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
Relevance
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
With a fitted bodice, Bieber’s dress loosened at the skirt, which began below the hips and flowed.
—
Julia Teti, Footwear News, 9 Apr. 2025
If plants are pot-bound, loosen the roots around the bottom and sides of the root ball and spread them out in the bottom of the planting hole.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 9 Apr. 2025
Systems built on power, fear, and control are reacting because their grip is beginning to loosen.
—Ingmar Rentzhog, Forbes.com, 12 Apr. 2025
Grey's Anatomy's vice-like grip on the medical drama genre is loosening with The Pitt, a thrilling and impeccably researched new Max series set in a Pittsburgh emergency room.
—Randall Colburn, EW.com, 11 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for loosen
Julia Teti, Footwear News, 9 Apr. 2025
If plants are pot-bound, loosen the roots around the bottom and sides of the root ball and spread them out in the bottom of the planting hole.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 9 Apr. 2025
Systems built on power, fear, and control are reacting because their grip is beginning to loosen.
—Ingmar Rentzhog, Forbes.com, 12 Apr. 2025
Grey's Anatomy's vice-like grip on the medical drama genre is loosening with The Pitt, a thrilling and impeccably researched new Max series set in a Pittsburgh emergency room.
—Randall Colburn, EW.com, 11 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for loosen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for loosen
Verb
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The emphasis is on unplugging from TVs and phones and relaxing and reconnecting.—
Cynthia J Drake,
Southern Living,
14 Apr. 2025
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There’s also a pre-treatment scalp massage that helps guests relax for their massage, facial, or other experience.—
Robin Raven,
Forbes.com,
13 Apr. 2025
Verb
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With McCaffrey sharing carries with Stewart as a rookie, the Panthers made the playoffs in 2017 before releasing Stewart a couple of months later.—
Joseph Person,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
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The president is not required to release the results of his annual physical exam, according to the Associated Press.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Ackman has been waging a public campaign to pause the policy for the past week as the market has taken significant hits since the Trump administration unleashed global tariffs on U.S. allies and adversaries.—
Joey Garrison,
USA Today,
9 Apr. 2025
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With 12 shutouts in 14 games and champions of the Boras Classic South, Corona gets to unleash its pitching depth once again.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Every contribution made through our GoFundMe will ease their financial burden and honor Deacon Eddie's incredible legacy of love and service.—
Emily Mae Czachor,
CBS News,
14 Apr. 2025
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Getting Mitchell off the ball more also balanced the offense and eased the load on Mitchell’s balky knees … and worked so well that the Cavs led the league in offensive efficiency.—
John Hollinger,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
Verb
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But the original poster disagreed, arguing that the line was in fact freeing.—
Raja Krishnamoorthi,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Apr. 2025
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By eliminating or at least reducing manual, error-prone processes, these applications free up finance teams to focus on strategic initiatives like scaling operations and optimizing capital allocation.—
Carlos Vega,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Photo: Courtesy of Hannah Jackson Eighty years ago today, on April 11, 1945, Morris was liberated from the Buchenwald concentration camp in Weimar, Germany.—
Hannah Jackson,
Vogue,
11 Apr. 2025
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In liberating Hollywood movies from the social context, younger viewers also liberated them from their commercial roots, from the very notion of popularity, which was central to Kael’s understanding of the art of movies.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
8 Apr. 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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Hundreds had to be rescued, and most of the deaths were caused by vehicles getting stuck in high water.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
9 Apr. 2025
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All five people were rescued and transported to Bay Area Hospital with minor injuries.—
Charna Flam,
People.com,
8 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Loosen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/loosen. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.
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