as in to facilitate
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
as in to relax
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
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Recent Examples of loosen (up)
Terri Williams, Architectural Digest, 3 Apr. 2025
That means loosening up a bit, letting go of both judgments and self-consciousness about the varying ways that people live with and care for children.
—Stephanie H. Murray, The Atlantic, 2 Jan. 2025
China had been loosening up with more U.S. films than ever finding a berth over the past few years.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 8 Apr. 2025
Down the stretch, Drake finally loosened up and made layup after layup against Mizzou’s pressing defense, with Stirtz delivering the passes to put the game out of reach.
—Cj Moore, The Athletic, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for loosen (up)
Verb
Meanwhile, steam only needs water heated to a high temperature to loosen up dirt and grime, plus sanitize surfaces.
—Terri Williams, Architectural Digest, 3 Apr. 2025
That means loosening up a bit, letting go of both judgments and self-consciousness about the varying ways that people live with and care for children.
—Stephanie H. Murray, The Atlantic, 2 Jan. 2025
China had been loosening up with more U.S. films than ever finding a berth over the past few years.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 8 Apr. 2025
Down the stretch, Drake finally loosened up and made layup after layup against Mizzou’s pressing defense, with Stirtz delivering the passes to put the game out of reach.
—Cj Moore, The Athletic, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for loosen (up)
Cite this Entry
“Loosen (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/loosen%20%28up%29. Accessed 21 May. 2025.
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