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Definitions

loosen

[loo-suhn] / ˈlu sən /
VERB
unbind
Synonyms
STRONGEST
alleviate break up ease loose relax slacken undo unlock unscrew untie
STRONG
deliver detach discharge disconnect disengage disjoin emancipate extricate free liberate manumit mitigate release separate unbar unbolt unbuckle unbutton unchain unclasp unfasten unhitch unhook unlace unlash unleash unloose unpin unstrap
WEAK
become unfastened disenthrall ease off lax let go let out unfix unlatch unsnap unstick untighten work free work loose
Antonyms
STRONGEST
increase tighten
STRONG
attach button combine confine connect couple detain engage fasten hitch hold hook imprison incarcerate join keep limit link restrain unite

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

I turn away and count and breathe, count and breathe, trying to loosen the tangled lump, determined not to let anything mess with my calm.

From Literature

Clare loosened his grip, only enough to let the rat talk.

From Literature

Subprime, by fueling a massive loosening of credit, became a key driver of housing, and when subprime lending dried up, that killed the housing market and the broader economy.

From The Wall Street Journal

Shortly after Musk’s 2022 acquisition of the platform, then known as Twitter, he loosened the site’s approach to content moderation.

From The Wall Street Journal

A squirt of dish soap, a cup of hot water, a few pulses to loosen the worst of it—then a quick pass with a brush.

From Salon

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.