as in to facilitate
to free from obstruction or difficulty
hoped that adding a second lane would loosen up traffic on that street
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to relax
to get rid of nervous tension or anxiety
a high-pressure job that makes it hard for him to loosen up even on weekends
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Recent Examples of loosen (up)
Olivia Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 17 Mar. 2025
During pregnancy, the tissue making up the symphysis loosens up, giving the baby’s head a fighting chance of making it through mom’s pelvis.
—Peter Ubel, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025
According to the Cleveland Clinic, these include: Heat and Ice Heat can help loosen up stiff muscles, and ice can help reduce inflammation, per the Cleveland Clinic.
—Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 24 Feb. 2025
As water evaporates, the steam will help loosen up a bit of the gunk for easy cleaning.
—Matthew Korfhage, WIRED, 16 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for loosen (up)
Verb
However, Veronica Hamaguchi, a senior, said the policy has since loosened up, much to the relief of many students.
—Olivia Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 17 Mar. 2025
During pregnancy, the tissue making up the symphysis loosens up, giving the baby’s head a fighting chance of making it through mom’s pelvis.
—Peter Ubel, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025
According to the Cleveland Clinic, these include: Heat and Ice Heat can help loosen up stiff muscles, and ice can help reduce inflammation, per the Cleveland Clinic.
—Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 24 Feb. 2025
As water evaporates, the steam will help loosen up a bit of the gunk for easy cleaning.
—Matthew Korfhage, WIRED, 16 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for loosen (up)
Cite this Entry
“Loosen (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/loosen%20%28up%29. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.
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