loosening

Examples

• All

• 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

S

softening

vsloosening

8 2.7

The process of becoming softer or less firm

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

R

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

E

easing

vsloosening

2 4.0

A change that makes something less strong or difficult

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

S

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

L

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

L

laxation

vsloosening

9.9

Making something less tight

includes that physical change but also reduction of rules or control

U

unfastening

vsloosening

3.5

Loosening something that is tied or fixed

is wider, applying to both undoing fastenings and easing restrictions

S

slackness

vsloosening

4.9

A state when something is loose rather than tight

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

U

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

W

weakening

vsloosening

3.2

A process that makes a person or thing less strong

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

Antonyms

R

restriction

340 3.0

A rule or action that limits what you can do

T

tightening

31 3.3

Making something fit more closely or making rules stronger

How Loose

slackening

1 5.6

loosening

6 3.4

tension

70 3.2

Surface Forms

Morphology

Etymology