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
Everyone at the club has been holding out for the moment when new ownership arrived and the purse strings can finally be loosened.
—
Patrick Boyland, The Athletic, 14 Feb. 2025
Honey, peppermint, licorice root, elderberry, ginger, and green tea can loosen mucus and help relieve a nagging cough.
—Julie Marks, Verywell Health, 12 Feb. 2025
The administration may also be reluctant to yield on another major demand by Mr. Xi: loosening U.S. restrictions on exports of technology to China, such as the advanced semiconductors needed to power artificial intelligence, a key battleground between the world’s top two economic powers.
—David Pierson, New York Times, 12 Feb. 2025
After spending just $4.4 million on marketing and advertising in the first nine months of 2024, Sezzle is loosening its purse strings a bit.
—Hank Tucker, Forbes, 10 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for loosen 
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.
Patrick Boyland, The Athletic, 14 Feb. 2025
Honey, peppermint, licorice root, elderberry, ginger, and green tea can loosen mucus and help relieve a nagging cough.
—Julie Marks, Verywell Health, 12 Feb. 2025
The administration may also be reluctant to yield on another major demand by Mr. Xi: loosening U.S. restrictions on exports of technology to China, such as the advanced semiconductors needed to power artificial intelligence, a key battleground between the world’s top two economic powers.
—David Pierson, New York Times, 12 Feb. 2025
After spending just $4.4 million on marketing and advertising in the first nine months of 2024, Sezzle is loosening its purse strings a bit.
—Hank Tucker, Forbes, 10 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for loosen
Articles Related to loosen
Dictionary Entries Near loosen
Cite this Entry
“Loosen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/loosen. Accessed 20 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share