loosening

4 3.4

Making something less tight or less strict

noun
/ˈluːsənɪŋ/

: aflojamiento

The loosening of restrictions allowed families to gather again after the long lockdown.
the loosening of restrictions
the loosening of controls

There might be a little loosening of some of those activities.

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Examples

During the time of operation, only one machine issue, a loosening of the generator heads, caused a shutdown.

Academic text (1998)
The minister denounced the loosening of mores, alcoholism, and the attraction that the West exerted on some Algerians.

Academic text (1996)
There might be a little loosening of some of those activities.

The Prof G Pod – Scott Galloway
Then we'll probably begin a loosening cycle and head back down.
I think you need some loosening up.

Embrace of the Vampire (1995)
Yet their distress at the behavior of the City's citizens leads to a loosening of the tight control they once had.

Academic text (2007)
The U.S. Constitution provides no prohibition against the loosening of immigration laws.

Blog text (7)
Veteran teachers have long complained that each successive wave of students shows signs of a loosening in discipline of various kinds.

Academic text (2006)
The loosening of established institutions' authority is reflected in various problems that intensify this search for bonds.

Academic text (2001)
Most relaxation techniques are dependent upon methods such as deep respiration, body loosening, slackening, and the removal of muscle tonus, contraction, or strain.

Academic text (2011)

Synonyms

easing

vsloosening

19 4.0

A change that makes something less strong or difficult

also applies to reducing tightness or rules as well as lessening intensity

weakening

vsloosening

11 3.2

A process that makes a person or thing less strong

is about reducing tightness or control rather than general loss of strength

softening

vsloosening

6 2.7

The process of becoming softer or less firm

is broader, referring to looseness of tension or control as well

relaxation

vsloosening

6 3.2

Making a rule or limit less strict so people can do more

includes easing of controls and also physical reduction of tightness

looseness

vsloosening

1 5.3

A lack of strictness or exactness in how something is done

is the action or process that causes that lack of tight control

slackening

vsloosening

1 5.6

A change when something becomes less tight, strong, or intense

is broader, covering less tightness and also reduced control or strictness

slackness

vsloosening

1 4.9

A state when something is loose rather than tight

focuses on the act or process that leads to that loose state

unfastening

vsloosening

1 3.5

Loosening something that is tied or fixed

is wider, applying to both undoing fastenings and easing restrictions

laxation

vsloosening

9.9

Making something less tight

includes that physical change but also reduction of rules or control

unconstraining

vsloosening

7.4

A process of removing rules or limits to allow freedom

covers removing limits but also physical and general reduction of tightness

Antonyms

restriction

312 3.0

A rule or action that limits what you can do

tightening

15 3.3

Making something fit more closely or making rules stronger

How Loose

slackening

1 5.6

loosening

4 3.4

tension

70 3.2

Surface Forms

loosening singular

loosening plural

Morphology

loosening = loosen (transparent) = loosen + ing

The noun is a standard nominalization of the verb 'loosen' with '-ing', so the meaning is directly and productively derived.

Etymology

Loosening comes from loose, which means 'not tight', with the ending -en meaning 'make' and -ing showing the action. So, loosening is the act of making something less tight or less strict, like loosening a belt or loosening rules.