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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of loosen
What begins as paranoia becomes a symbolic journey to loosen the scaffolding of illusion and to find the genuine.
—
Callum McLennan, Variety, 23 Sep. 2025
My favorite part of the wig is the dark drawstring that comes pre-installed in the nape of the wig because having the ability to tighten or loosen with a drawstring security is such a valuable plus and not one many full wigs have installed.
—Noel Cymone Walker, StyleCaster, 23 Sep. 2025
The project offered a blueprint through which US tech companies — alongside allies’ own AI firms — could help Washington loosen Beijing’s grip on digital infrastructure in Africa, and power American efforts to win a technological race with China.
—Alexis Akwagyiram, semafor.com, 22 Sep. 2025
Use a manual rake to make a crisscross pattern, pushing deeply into the ground to loosen the thatch.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 22 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for loosen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for loosen
Verb
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Guests can also opt to relax by the 82-foot resort pool.—
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Tranquility reigns here, inviting you to truly relax and find peace.—
Verb
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Baker escorted Skeet to Winkler County jail where he was booked and released on $20,000 bail.—
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Both were in theatres for only a week or so, before being released on the platform.—
Verb
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The deaths happened after Super Typhoon Ragasa’s outer bands brought heavy rain to Hualien county, causing a barrier lake in the mountains to overflow and unleash a wall of water onto the small town of Guangfu.—
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That’s after Cipher takes control of Jordan’s body and powers, unleashing their fists on Marie when the two choose to give the crowd a kiss rather than a fight.—
Verb
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Pakistani spot prices eased from 71 to 69 cents/lb or from 16,300 to 15,900 PKR/maund over the past month.—
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Policy steps by governments and negotiations with Chinese suppliers have eased some disruption.—
Verb
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The organization takes care of the back-end logistics, from payroll and setting tuition to lobbying state legislators and navigating local zoning laws, freeing educators to concentrate on their craft.—
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The kitten was freed from the tire unharmed and reunited with his family.—
Verb
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And that liberated me, absolutely liberated me.—
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In order to win a war—especially a war that threatened the nation’s very existence—the federal government enjoyed plenary power to liberate slaves, as nations at war had commonly done long before the Constitution was drafted and ratified.—
Verb
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In more recent years, fleeting trends and other fashion antics sometimes sidetracked Armani, especially on the runway, where aviator hats or tricky pants — from bloomers to loose, low-crotch styles — won him barbs from critics.—
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Harrison is also a fan of the hair screw tool that’s designed to pick up long strands of hair and loose pet fur with ease.—
Verb
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Brooks explained the white and brown pup was rescued from a cruelty case in South Carolina.—
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As Sergio uncovers that the village’s devotion to Matteo is far from benevolent, his attempt to rescue the boy known as the Angel of Remis ignites the community’s vengeful nature.—
Cite this Entry
“Loosen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/loosen. Accessed 3 Oct. 2025.
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