loosen

verb

loos·​en ˈlü-sᵊn How to pronounce loosen (audio)
loosened; loosening ˈlü-sᵊn-iŋ How to pronounce loosen (audio)
ˈlüs-niŋ

transitive verb

1
: to release from restraint
2
: to make looser
loosened his tie
loosen a screw
3
: to relieve (the bowels) of constipation
4
: to cause or permit to become less strict
often used with up
loosened the rules

intransitive verb

: to become loose or looser

Examples of loosen in a Sentence

He used a spade to loosen the soil. She loosened the cake from the sides of the pan. After eating so much I had to loosen my belt. When the meeting was over he loosened his tie. One of the screws had loosened a bit and had to be tightened. Each generation seems to loosen the established standards of behavior. Standards of behavior seem to be loosening everywhere.
Recent Examples on the Web Those seeking to loosen the commission’s reins dismiss as alarmist contentions that the California coast some day could look like Miami Beach, maintaining their legislation will still allow for adequate protection and beach access. Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Mar. 2024 The first round of rate cuts meant to loosen the economy is widely expected to start around June. Paolo Confino, Fortune, 16 Mar. 2024 The material also seems to have locked up Keaton’s creative juices instead of loosening them. Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2024 In May 2022, as the pandemic started to loosen its grip, Reddit spent millions to host more than 1,000 of its employees in New York City for two days of hot dogs, pizza, drinking, concerts, and karaoke. Paresh Dave, WIRED, 14 Mar. 2024 Ximena Morales, 15, used a three-pronged hand cultivator to loosen dirt before compost was spread on top. Jane Margolies, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2024 Cities are looking to boost supply by loosening zoning rules on new home construction, although so far, restrictions on new housing keep getting tighter, says Professor Seiler. Leonardo Bevilacqua, The Christian Science Monitor, 13 Mar. 2024 San Francisco voters last week approved loosening the rules around police surveillance and allowing officers to pursue suspects in their cars even for some misdemeanor violations. Tom Jackman, Washington Post, 10 Mar. 2024 It was initially approved more than 20 years ago by the FDA, which subsequently loosened regulations for obtaining it. Daniel Gilbert The Washington Post, arkansasonline.com, 2 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'loosen.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of loosen was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near loosen

Cite this Entry

“Loosen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/loosen. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

loosen

verb
loos·​en ˈlüs-ᵊn How to pronounce loosen (audio)
loosened; loosening ˈlüs-niŋ How to pronounce loosen (audio)
-ᵊn-iŋ
1
: to set free
2
: to make or become loose or looser
3
: to cause or permit to become less strict
loosened the rules

More from Merriam-Webster on loosen

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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