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
This method may also help loosen the soil, along with any weeds that are growing.
—
Lauren David, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Apr. 2025
For now, the Trump administration is loosening rules on commanders conducting military raids and airstrikes, expanding the range of people and places that can be targeted.
—Anna Mulrine Grobe, Christian Science Monitor, 1 Apr. 2025
But by the time the record was broken, Booker, who was wearing a black suit, had still not loosened his tie.
—Isabella Murray, ABC News, 1 Apr. 2025
The agreement loosened sanctions on Iran in exchange for fresh constraints on the country's nuclear development.
—Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for loosen
Lauren David, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Apr. 2025
For now, the Trump administration is loosening rules on commanders conducting military raids and airstrikes, expanding the range of people and places that can be targeted.
—Anna Mulrine Grobe, Christian Science Monitor, 1 Apr. 2025
But by the time the record was broken, Booker, who was wearing a black suit, had still not loosened his tie.
—Isabella Murray, ABC News, 1 Apr. 2025
The agreement loosened sanctions on Iran in exchange for fresh constraints on the country's nuclear development.
—Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for loosen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for loosen
Verb
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Those restrictions were relaxed after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.—
Lee Habeeb,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Apr. 2025
-
One reason for this is that estrogen helps keep blood vessels flexible and supports the production of nitric oxide, a molecule that allows vessels to relax and maintain healthy blood flow.—
Matthew Nudy,
The Conversation,
4 Apr. 2025
Verb
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McFarland previously pleaded guilty to fraud charges related to the disastrous first Fyre Festival and was released from prison in 2022 after serving less than four years.—
Tomás Mier,
Rolling Stone,
4 Apr. 2025
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Of the 83 songs featured on these seven albums, 74 have never been released in any form.—
Justin Porter,
New York Times,
4 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Some thunderstorms turned severe and unleashed damaging winds as the rain came gushing down Thursday.—
Karina Tsui,
CNN Money,
28 Mar. 2025
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However, the temptation of being able to unleash his power without check proves too much for him.—
Paul Du Quenoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Mar. 2025
Verb
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And because stablecoin issuers often secure their stablecoins by buying U.S. Treasuries, an increase in stablecoin demand could help ease the burden of the U.S.’s ballooning debt, proponents argue.—
Andrew R. Chow,
Time,
4 Apr. 2025
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Mobilizing the tissue throughout the day by rolling your foot on a massage, lacrosse, or tennis ball can also ease discomfort, as can self-massage and ice, Dr. Malek says.—
Cindy Kuzma,
SELF,
4 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Removing them will free up space and improve performance.—
Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report,
FOXNews.com,
29 Mar. 2025
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The husband eventually managed to free himself of his bindings, and when McIsaac returned to the living room, the husband fought back and subdued him long enough to allow the rest of the family to escape and seek help, prosecutors said.—
Jason Green,
Mercury News,
29 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The policies announced on Liberation Day seem unlikely to liberate investors and business folk from their fears.—
John Cassidy,
New Yorker,
3 Apr. 2025
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Avoiding the dilemma of either yielding to Russian nuclear threats and allowing the loss of NATO territory or risking nuclear escalation in attempting to liberate NATO territory would require conventional defenses capable of halting a Russian incursion at the border.—
Mark S. Bell,
Foreign Affairs,
31 Mar. 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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An 82-year-old Louisiana man was rescued by authorities after spending multiple hours stuck in thick mud while fishing.—
Angel Saunders,
People.com,
29 Mar. 2025
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Over 690 people were rescued in the state after heavy rains caused flooding, according to Mexico’s Civil Protection Coordination.—
Karina Tsui,
CNN Money,
28 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Loosen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/loosen. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.
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