to loosen

Examples

• All

• Spend a few minutes chatting with a friend or neighbor to loosen up the vocal cords.

  Academic text (2009)

• So let's loosen our arms first.

  North of the 10 (2022)

• And we'll just loosen it one turn and that should do it.

• This one here, when you loosen that one, it allows the door to come out.

• Maybe we loosen this up with water or is that the worst idea?

• Hey, hey, loosen it up here right now.

• I have stopped running. There is no way trying. You better loosen your belt.

• Everyone else go ahead, loosen your gear and get some sleep.

• Now we need to loosen the screws in the IO plate.

• First, loosen the three screws holding down the socket lid.

Synonyms

U

to untie

vsto loosen

91 1.0

Make a knot or lace loose by undoing it

is wider, applying to knots and other forms of tightness

R

to relax

vsto loosen

78 1.0

To make or become less tight

applies broadly to objects and parts, not only bodily tension

L

to loose

vsto loosen

30 3.0

To let something go free or make it less tight

is the general act of reducing tightness or restraint on things

U

to undo

vsto loosen

21 1.3

Unfasten something that is tied or fastened

is broader, not limited to undoing fastenings but any loosening

U

to unclench

vsto loosen

7 4.1

Open a tight hand or jaw to relax it

is broader and applies to objects and physical grips alike

U

to unwind

vsto loosen

5 3.7

Make a wrapped or twisted thing loose and straight

is a general reduction of tightness not limited to winding methods

U

to unfasten

vsto loosen

5 3.4

To open something by undoing a button or zipper

includes that use but also other ways of reducing tightness

U

to unlace

vsto loosen

3 3.8

To untie strings that close shoes or clothing

is more general and applies to many objects beyond laces

S

to slack

vsto loosen

2 4.1

To make a rope, cable, or line less tight

covers that and any action that makes things less tight

S

to slacken

vsto loosen

1 5.5

Become or make less tight, like a rope

is the general term for making items less tight overall

U

to unloose

vsto loosen

• Archaic

1 7.0

To make something less tight or set something free

is the broader process of reducing tightness across many objects

U

to unknot

vsto loosen

1 5.1

To make a tied rope or string loose so it comes apart

is broader, covering any action that makes things less tight

U

to unclamp

vsto loosen

• Specialized

1 5.1

To loosen or remove a clamp that holds something

is the general action of reducing tightness beyond clamps

U

to unloosen

vsto loosen

• Archaic

7.2

To make something less tight or free it from something holding it

is the general action of making things less tight or relaxed

U

to unloose (a) knot

vsto loosen

• Archaic

5.9

To untie a knot so it comes apart

is the general act of reducing tightness beyond knot work

Antonyms

T

to tighten

145 1.5

To make something hold firmly, like a bolt or belt

S

to stiffen

25 3.7

To make or become hard and less able to bend

Idioms

L

to loosen the purse strings

• Informal

1 6.5

To allow someone to spend more money

L

to loosen someone's tongue

• Informal

6.7

Make someone talk more and tell secrets

L

to loosen the apron strings

• Informal

7.5

Allow a child to be more independent

Phrasal Verbs

L

to loosen up

• Informal

31 3.4

To relax and become less nervous or tense

L

to loosen up

• Informal

8 3.0

To make muscles less tight and more ready for exercise by stretching

How Tight

to tighten

145 1.5

to secure

347 3.3

to loosen

88 1.0

to slacken

1 5.5

Surface Forms

Morphology

Etymology