loosened; loosening
ˈlü-sᵊn-iŋ 
ˈlüs-niŋ
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
: 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
If local environmental regulations are loosened here in order to help quickly rebuild, does that concern you at all?
—
CBS News, 12 Jan. 2025
This chili is on the stewy, thicker side of things, so feel free to add more chicken stock to loosen to your preferred consistency.
—Elizabeth Mervosh, Southern Living, 11 Jan. 2025
Yet his pledge to loosen regulations on companies and work with Congress to extend and expand tax cuts could embolden firms to step up hiring and investment.
—Paul Davidson, USA TODAY, 10 Jan. 2025
Cook until the mixture begins to brown and stick to the bottom of the pot, then add water to loosen it.
—Luke Fortney, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for loosen 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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CBS News, 12 Jan. 2025
This chili is on the stewy, thicker side of things, so feel free to add more chicken stock to loosen to your preferred consistency.
—Elizabeth Mervosh, Southern Living, 11 Jan. 2025
Yet his pledge to loosen regulations on companies and work with Congress to extend and expand tax cuts could embolden firms to step up hiring and investment.
—Paul Davidson, USA TODAY, 10 Jan. 2025
Cook until the mixture begins to brown and stick to the bottom of the pot, then add water to loosen it.
—Luke Fortney, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for loosen
Articles Related to loosen
Dictionary Entries Near loosen
Cite this Entry
“Loosen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/loosen. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.
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