1
as in loosened
not tightly fastened, tied, or stretched
secure your neckerchief with a loose knot
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in unconsolidated
consisting of particles that do not stick together
the car wheels slipped on the loose gravel in the driveway
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in flexible
not bound by rigid standards
we tend to be loose with the dress code when we aren't hosting clients at the office
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in free
not bound, confined, or detained by force
there was a brief panic when the lion got loose from its cage at the zoo
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in approximate
not precisely correct
a loose guess about the size of the crowd at the outdoor concert
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in corrupt
having or showing lowered moral character or standards
the loose life that he led in the years before he settled down and found his path
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to fire
to cause (a projectile) to be driven forward with force
the archers loosed a great volley of arrows at the foot soldiers charging towards them
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to unleash
to find emotional release for
do not loose your pent-up frustrations on the next person who happens by
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to free
to set free (as from slavery or confinement)
the ranchers loosed the horses from their stables and into the paddock
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to loosen
to set free (from a state of being held in check)
the storm loosed its full fury when it hit the coastline at high tide
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Cite this Entry
“Loose.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/loose. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share