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
There's a flexible hose to nab hard-to-reach messes, a transparent crevice tool for corners and sofa cushions, as well as a dust brush to loosen hair and dust from upholstery.
—
Clara McMahon, People.com, 6 Apr. 2025
In 1992, President Hafez al-Assad — the father of Bashar al-Assad, who was overthrown last year — loosened the limits.
—Ephrat Livni, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2025
The Food and Drug Administration loosened direct-to-consumer advertising regulations considerably in 1997 by clarifying guidance on what TV and broadcast commercials must include for companies to avoid legal trouble.
—Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
The storm had loosened the piece of clay from a nearby cliff face.
—Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for loosen
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Clara McMahon, People.com, 6 Apr. 2025
In 1992, President Hafez al-Assad — the father of Bashar al-Assad, who was overthrown last year — loosened the limits.
—Ephrat Livni, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2025
The Food and Drug Administration loosened direct-to-consumer advertising regulations considerably in 1997 by clarifying guidance on what TV and broadcast commercials must include for companies to avoid legal trouble.
—Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
The storm had loosened the piece of clay from a nearby cliff face.
—Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for loosen
Cite this Entry
“Loosen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/loosen. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.
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