LOOSENS UP Synonyms: 77 Similar and Opposite Words

loosens (up) 1 of 2

verb (1)

present tense third-person singular of loosen (up)

as in facilitates

to free from obstruction or difficulty hoped that adding a second lane would loosen up traffic on that street

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loosens up

2 of 2

verb (2)

present tense third-person singular of loosen up

as in relaxes

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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tenses (up)

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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 loosens (up)

Verb

The two eventually connect and learn from each other; Ray loosens up and Molly grows up. — Kara Nesvig, Parents, 29 Aug. 2026 The hot queso frito loaded with Oaxaca cheese, salsa negra, pico, cilantro, and tortillas is richer and exactly the kind of dish that loosens up a group after a second round of drinks. — Rafael Peña, Miami Herald, 13 July 2026 But mortgage rates could slowly come down once the tension in the Middle East loosens up. — Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 31 Mar. 2026 Snug at the hips and thigh, the silhouette loosens up at the knee into a true straight leg. — Genevieve Cepeda, InStyle, 4 Mar. 2026 Parker’s series starts out with too much bellowing and yelling along with hazing and bullying but loosens up and broadens out to peer into the lives of other recruits who are wrestling with demons and sometimes each other. — Randy Myers, Mercury News, 16 Oct. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for loosens (up)

Verb

Under normal circumstances, a broad international investor base facilitates government financing.

— , CNBC, 20 Oct. 2026
The company facilitates over 100,000 flights across more than 20,000 airports worldwide, offering some of the industry’s very latest and most advanced business jets.

— Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of facilitates

Verb

Corcoran relaxes with Max in the library on a circa 1900 French iron daybed settee from Fireside Antiques in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

— David Foxley, Architectural Digest, 21 Oct. 2026
Once normal breathing resumes, parasympathetic influence increases, and the body relaxes big time.

— Jessica Sulima, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of relaxes

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

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Synonyms of loosens (up)

verb (1)

verb (2)

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