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
That stance loosened about 15 years ago, primarily in baseball.
—
Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 21 Mar. 2025
Steam loosens any dirt on the floor, even working up sticky residue.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 20 Mar. 2025
In 2020, officials loosened the program's rules as pandemic lockdowns took effect — which prosecutors assert left the door open for abuse.
—Kyle Stokes, Axios, 19 Mar. 2025
But when the lead car veers off the road and instructs us to toggle into the Terra setting (which raises the air suspension and loosens the traction and stability-control systems), the majority of Lamborghini owners in the group seem unprepared for the depth of this SUV’s off-road capabilities.
—Basem Wasef, Robb Report, 18 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for loosen
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Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 21 Mar. 2025
Steam loosens any dirt on the floor, even working up sticky residue.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 20 Mar. 2025
In 2020, officials loosened the program's rules as pandemic lockdowns took effect — which prosecutors assert left the door open for abuse.
—Kyle Stokes, Axios, 19 Mar. 2025
But when the lead car veers off the road and instructs us to toggle into the Terra setting (which raises the air suspension and loosens the traction and stability-control systems), the majority of Lamborghini owners in the group seem unprepared for the depth of this SUV’s off-road capabilities.
—Basem Wasef, Robb Report, 18 Mar. 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 28 Mar. 2025.
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