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
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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
-
Despite reuniting for live performances in recent years, Rage Against the Machine hasn’t released any original studio material since 2000’s Renegades.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
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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Ackman has been waging a public campaign to pause the policy for the past week as the market has taken significant hits since the Trump administration unleashed global tariffs on U.S. allies and adversaries.—
Joey Garrison,
USA Today,
9 Apr. 2025
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With 12 shutouts in 14 games and champions of the Boras Classic South, Corona gets to unleash its pitching depth once again.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Apr. 2025
Verb
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In the Summer of 2021, following a 9-0 loss in a related Supreme Court case (Alston v. NCAA) and a wave of state laws prohibiting the NCAA’s enforcement of its NIL restrictions, the NCAA significantly eased its restrictions regarding athlete NIL activity.—
Joe Sabin,
Forbes.com,
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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One hand is freed just long enough to hold the receiver when making phone calls.—
Milena Malaver,
Miami Herald,
9 Apr. 2025
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By eliminating or at least reducing manual, error-prone processes, these applications free up finance teams to focus on strategic initiatives like scaling operations and optimizing capital allocation.—
Carlos Vega,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 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
-
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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Hundreds had to be rescued, and most of the deaths were caused by vehicles getting stuck in high water.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
9 Apr. 2025
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Now, the man who cuckolded him has also rescued him from certain death.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
8 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Loosen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/loosen. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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