Advertisement

View synonyms for loosen

loosen

[ loo-suhn ]

verb (used with object)

  1. to unfasten or undo, as a bond or fetter.
  2. to make less tight; slacken or relax:

    to loosen one's grasp.

  3. to make less firmly fixed in place:

    to loosen a tooth.

  4. to let loose or set free from bonds, restraint, or constraint.
  5. to make less close or compact in structure or arrangement.
  6. to make less dense or coherent:

    to loosen the soil in a garden.

  7. to relax in strictness or severity, as restraint or discipline:

    to loosen restrictions on trade.

  8. to relieve (the bowels) of their constipated condition.


verb (used without object)

  1. to become loose or looser (sometimes followed by up ):

    His hold loosened. Your shoes will loosen up with wear.

loosen

/ ˈluːsən /

verb

  1. to make or become less tight, fixed, etc
  2. often foll by up to make or become less firm, compact, or rigid
  3. tr to untie
  4. tr to let loose; set free
  5. often foll by up to make or become less strict, severe, etc
  6. tr to rid or relieve (the bowels) of constipation


Discover More

Derived Forms

  • ˈloosener, noun

Discover More

Other Words From

  • loosen·er noun

Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of loosen1

First recorded in 1350–1400, loosen is from the Middle English word loosnen. See loose, -en 1

Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of loosen1

C14: from loose

Discover More

Example Sentences

Two years later, he had released all Soviet dissidents from prison and was beginning to loosen the reins on Soviet bloc countries.

Not even the knowledge gleaned from all the books in the world can loosen the grasp of human sadness.

Add a dash of milk to loosen, although you want the mixture thick.

Past attempts to loosen the grip of taxi cartels have been thwarted by the industry.

Spurred by this success, Austin and Benedetto plan to loosen control over the guest list even more for future events.

With great deliberation and much formality Wu-pom Nai proceeded to loosen the boy's heavy plaits of hair.

Nothing is more annoying than to have the hair loosen or the head-dress fall off in a crowded ball room.

They learned to loosen the bark of a tree without breaking it except along one edge.

If thus used two or three days in succession it will effectually loosen tartar, even of long standing.

Inside it was a clock, which could be set to run a certain time and then loosen a sort of gunlock.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


loose metalloosening of associations