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.

LONDON—British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s loosening grip on power took another blow on Friday after the Green Party won a special district election in which his ruling Labour Party fell to a distant third.

From The Wall Street Journal

On the bright side, a loosening labor market should support the call for interest-rate cuts at the Bank of England’s coming meetings, which could support sentiment longer term.

From The Wall Street Journal

The Pentagon reportedly threatened to end its $200-million contract with Anthropic if the company doesn’t loosen restrictions on its AI model so it can be used for more military purposes.

From Los Angeles Times

Employment expectations in the eurozone also slipped in February, according to the survey, pointing to a gradual loosening of the labor market and a likely easing in wage-price pressures.

From The Wall Street Journal

I loosened the rules, and team culture weakened.

From The Wall Street Journal

loosen

Example Sentences

Related Words