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looseness

looseness

1 5.3
A lack of strictness or exactness in how something is done
  • noun
  • /ˈluːs.nəs/
translation icon : imprecisión
  • The looseness of the rules allowed participants to express their creativity freely.

To do that, you have got to have a looseness of perspective.

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Examples

  • He had no idea why looseness and flexibility were desirable for what lay ahead, but he felt the need just the same.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • Although one of the strongest students and an advocate of moving towards a greater emphasis on cultural critique in American studies, she recently wrote, "this programme always gives me a feeling of looseness."

    Academic text (1996)
  • The looseness of these items as research questions is appropriate.

    Academic text (2014)
  • To do that, you have got to have a looseness of perspective.

  • The less developed countries were disappointed with the looseness of this resolution.

    Academic text (1992)
  • It was that kind of looseness about being president is just rare, you know.

  • This looseness has led many to regard the doctrine as essentially spent, though lower courts and scholars routinely attempt to bring new life to the idea. (52)

    Academic text (2018)
  • The looseness and spontaneity of these reactions speak to a growing energy without an effective outlet, suggesting that progressives need to think about how to better support grassroots organizing, encourage experimentation with new forms of organizing, and create a connected but independent network of diverse organizations and campaigns chipping away at the powers that be.

    Blog text (2)
  • Critics pointed out the looseness of the arguments presented in the debate, highlighting their lack of rigor.

  • In scientific writing, it is important to strike a balance between coherence and the necessary looseness of ideas.

Synonyms

imprecision
vslooseness
3 6.5

A thing that is not exact or clear, for example a measurement

is broader, also covering lack of strict control or rigor
laxity
vslooseness
3 8.3

A lack of strict rules or care that lets mistakes happen

stresses weak precision and control as well as negligent behavior
inexactitude
vslooseness
1 8.6

A lack of exactness or accuracy

is broader, including both inaccuracy and loose regulation
laxness
vslooseness
1 6.8

Lack of care in following rules that causes problems

highlights absence of accuracy and precise control rather than only carelessness
impreciseness
vslooseness
7.9

Not being exact causes mistakes

is the wider quality that also includes weak control or discipline
bagginess
vslooseness
6.0

Lack of clear rules or limits that causes confusion

is more general, covering any imprecision or weak control
squishiness
vslooseness
  • Informal
7.4

A lack of firmness that makes rules or decisions unclear

is about poor accuracy and weak control rather than mere indecision
laxism
vslooseness
9.9

Not being strict about rules or what is right and wrong

is the broader condition of being imprecise or insufficiently controlled
slackness
vslooseness
4.9

A state when something is loose rather than tight

refers instead to lack of accuracy, rigor, or strict control

Antonyms

3 3.4

Being very firm about rules and making people follow them

Compounds

6.8

Frequent watery bowel movements that happen when you are ill

How Strict

rigor
  • Formal
18 6.8
strictness
3 3.4
laxness
1 6.8
looseness
1 5.3
leniency
26 4.6

Surface Forms

looseness singular
loosenesses plural

Morphology

looseness = loose (transparent) = loose + ness

Standard formation: 'loose' (here figuratively 'not strict or precise') + '-ness' yields the quality or state described.

Etymology

Looseness is built from loose (from an old German word for 'free' or 'not tight') and the suffix -ness. By the image of something 'not tight', looseness can mean a lack of strictness or precision, which is why it describes careless or vague methods.