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

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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 The extreme heat will begin to loosen its grip on the metro, with temperatures in the low 90s and the heat index around 100 degrees. — Kansas City Star, 2 July 2026 When that identity began to loosen, my relationship with my son, my wife, and my family changed in ways that were more intimate and more meaningful than any external success. — Dr. Shaoqing Sun, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026 The cheers rose in volume when Williams bounded to the center of the court and shuffled side to side like a boxer, loosening her shoulder joint and getting used to the feeling of grass beneath her feet again. — Ava Wallace, New York Times, 30 June 2026 The ruling is the latest in a series of Supreme Court decisions that have loosened campaign finance restrictions, overturning a 2001 precedent that upheld the spending limits. — Michel Martin, NPR, 1 July 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
  • From adults-only pools to tranquil spas, these luxury resorts offer relaxing escapes tailored to travelers over 50.
    — Beth Luberecki, USA Today, 7 July 2026
  • Cable and telecom lobby groups submitted comments supporting the FCC plan to eliminate or relax various requirements.
    — Jon Brodkin, ArsTechnica, 6 July 2026
Definition of relax
Verb
  • Nuclear fusion is the process of combining two hydrogen atoms to form one helium atom, releasing huge amounts of energy.
    — Kai Nicol-Schwarz, CNBC, 7 July 2026
  • Prior to the hearing, the Kirk family released a statement on social media.
    — Christine Pelisek, PEOPLE, 7 July 2026
Definition of release
Verb
  • In the 82nd minute, Malik Tillman stepped up to a free kick on the edge of the penalty area and unleashed an absolute wonderstrike.
    — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 2 July 2026
  • Yamal was a thorn in Saudi Arabia’s side, drifting infield to unleash shots from distance but also peppering the penalty area with wicked deliveries from the right flank.
    — Mark Carey, New York Times, 2 July 2026
Definition of unleash
Verb
  • Despite hot, humid conditions, a respectable crowd has already gathered, with organizers expecting attendance to grow as temperatures ease later this evening.
    — Kyla Guilfoil, NBC news, 5 July 2026
  • This would let traffic flow, which is so necessary for the vitality and economy of Chicago; provide a safer route for bikers; and ease the frustration of all of those on the streets of Chicago.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
Definition of ease
Verb
  • Crews stabilized the pickup before performing a technical extrication to free the driver.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 4 July 2026
  • The flywheel does not need to be replaced every 3-5 years and can be installed outdoors, freeing up more space and cash for compute.
    — Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 3 July 2026
Definition of free
Verb
  • When the United States invaded the Philippines during the Spanish-American War, Twain naively imagined that the country would be liberated and turned into a republic.
    — Ron Chernow, The Atlantic, 2 July 2026
  • Automation that was meant to liberate becomes a maze of fragile scripts and blame-shifting alerts.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
Definition of liberate
Verb
  • The ClearBell colony loosing ClearBells like snowflakes into the water.
    — Mandy-Suzanne Wong, Longreads, 5 Feb. 2026
  • Co-regulating your emotions alongside your toddler can help achieve a resolution to conflict without raising your voice or loosing your temper.
    — Sara Rowe Mount, Parents, 26 Jan. 2026
Definition of loose
Verb
  • Analysts credit the 2011 purchase of NBCUniversal as a huge success; Comcast rescued a company that was on the ropes due to General Electric’s under-investment.
    — Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026
  • The infant, who is 9 months old, was rescued along with her mother, the State Department told Fox News Digital.
    — Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 1 July 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 8 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of loosen for Spanish Speakers

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