loosen

verb

ˈlü-sᵊn How to pronounce loosen (audio)
Definition of loosennext
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

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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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of loosen Sure, his back may have loosened more with each completion Daniels made last Friday. — Rick Stroud, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Aug. 2026 So will a flood of 401(k) money, thanks to loosening rules about what investments belong in Americans’ retirement accounts. — Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 20 Aug. 2026 El Dorado County supervisors took a step toward loosening controversial regulations on vacation properties like Airbnbs and Vrbo rentals on the county’s west slope. — Haley Parsley august 20, Sacbee.com, 20 Aug. 2026 Preservationists have voiced concerns that vibrations created by the cars could damage artworks by cracking canvases or loosening mounts. — Antonio Pequeño Iv, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for loosen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for loosen
  1. relax
  2. release
  3. unleash
  4. ease
  5. free
  6. liberate
  7. loose
  8. rescue
Verb
  • Direct flights have resumed between India and China, a few old Silk Road trade routes have opened, and in March India relaxed rules around investment from Beijing.
    — Evelyn Cheng,Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Fences, hedges, noise machines, and relaxing music can all help.
    — R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of relax
Verb
  • Police were not immediately releasing the victims’ names pending notification of their families.
    — Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026
  • The trailer was released Monday before the Cubs showdown with the Brewers, which usually would’ve been the big story of the day if not for the fact that Milwaukee led the division by eight games with a month left.
    — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of release
Verb
  • Catastrophic wall of water and mud unleashed by a collapsing glacier tore through villages on the Nepal-Tibet border, killing at least 353 people and leaving more than 1,300 missing, including scores of foreign pilgrims.
    — Niranjan Shrestha, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Nepali officials have said the floods were likely unleashed by a glacial collapse, which is when a large piece of ice, rock and debris suddenly detaches from a glacier on a mountain.
    — Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of unleash
Verb
  • Anti-anxiety medications, including benzodiazepines such as Ativan, Librium, Xanax and Valium, can work quickly to ease extreme worry, fear, social anxiety or panic attacks.
    — Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Bidets may also ease discomfort from hemorrhoids, fistulas and anal fissures, and help people with chronic diarrhea or conditions that require frequent wiping.
    — Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of ease
Verb
  • The 60-day injury list would change to 12 weeks and would still free up a 40-man roster spot.
    — Evan Drellich, New York Times, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Some analysts believe part of the recent selling stems from investors freeing up capital to participate in trading.
    — , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of free
Verb
  • Julie Klausner would like comedy liberated from the phone and returned to the sitcom.
    — Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Treatment doesn’t diminish human potential, but often liberates it.
    — Rachel Docekal, STAT, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of liberate
Verb
  • His pets were accused of the unneighborly habit of loosing themselves upon suburban streets, prompting panicked phone calls and unnecessary police raids.
    — Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Stick to loose clothes with breathable fabrics like linen and cotton.
    — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 13 July 2026
Definition of loose
Verb
  • Some of those rescued are covered in mud and appear injured after being battered by the flood, one video shows.
    — Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2026
  • There were at least 15 newborns in the nursery at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences in Islamabad when the fire broke out, hospital officials said, but one baby was rescued, officials with the hospital said.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of rescue

Phrases Containing loosen

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loosely
loosen
loosened
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Cite this Entry

“Loosen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/loosen. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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