loosening (up) 1 of 2

verb (1)

present participle of loosen (up)
as in facilitating
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

loosening up

2 of 2

verb (2)

present participle of loosen up
as in relaxing
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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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 loosening (up)
Verb
Steve Madden Lennox Taupe Suede After seasons of structured, second-skin silhouettes, boots are finally loosening up. — Camila Quimper, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026 As fashion’s game of musical chairs slows down, Milan’s newest creative directors are loosening up the codes at some of Italy's most storied brands. — ABC News, 24 Sep. 2026 There’s a spa, steam room, oxygen lounge, and meditation room for loosening up both muscles and mind. — Tori Latham, Robb Report, 9 Sep. 2026 But lately, she’s been loosening up her minimalist approach, experimenting with brighter colors and unexpected combinations that make her everyday outfits feel fresh. — Daisy Maldonado, InStyle, 10 July 2026 Beckham isn’t the only one loosening up their summer style with a lacy slip skirt. — Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 2 July 2026 This can be avoided by squatting, stretching and loosening up your joints before jumping. — Bestreviews, Mercury News, 2 July 2026 If the plant was root bound in its pot, consider pulling it out of the ground, loosening up the roots so water can penetrate, and replanting it. — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 7 June 2026 Dulude suggests loosening up the food particles on the microwave walls by placing a bowl of water inside with half a lemon and using a high setting to boil the water. — Lori Keong, Architectural Digest, 2 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for loosening (up)
  1. facilitating
  2. relaxing
  3. winding down
  4. chilling out
Verb
  • Zach LaVine and Domantas Sabonis, meanwhile, did the heavy lifting for Sacramento, with the shooting guard scoring 28 points and the center facilitating the offense with 14 points, eight assists and 18 rebounds.
    — Joaquin Ruiz, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
  • American strategy toward Europe and East Asia has been a steady and cost-effective success, facilitating great-power peace since 1945.
    — Charles Kupchan, Foreign Affairs, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of facilitating
Verb
  • No wonder Dad had been terrified of making a mistake, of relaxing or trusting others enough to let his guard down.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 Oct. 2026
  • If school is the equivalent of work, then surely time at home is for relaxing after work.
    — Cressida Leyshon, New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of relaxing
Verb
  • The flood threat from Western Texas to southwest Kansas is expected to start winding down Monday, but some spotty flooding is still possible.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Her departure follows the announcement earlier this week that Christiane Amanpour would be winding down her daily CNN International series and departing the network next year.
    — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of winding down
Verb
  • Brewing ahead leaves fermentation and chilling out of the gathering itself.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Yes, those are real reindeer chilling out in kiddie swimming pools during this hot Missouri summer.
    — Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 23 July 2026
Definition of chilling out

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Cite this Entry

“Loosening (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/loosening%20%28up%29. Accessed 30 Oct. 2026.

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