as in to facilitate
to free from obstruction or difficulty
hoped that adding a second lane would loosen up traffic on that street
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to relax
to get rid of nervous tension or anxiety
a high-pressure job that makes it hard for him to loosen up even on weekends
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of loosen (up)
Halee Miller Van Ryswyk, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Oct. 2025
Marte helped Soto, who carries a business-like demeanor, to fit in by encouraging him to loosen up when appropriate.
—Will Sammon, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
Stir your fruit and/or veggies around in the mixture to loosen up leftover dirt and impurities.
—Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 2 Oct. 2025
Let your guard down and loosen up a bit.
—Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for loosen (up)
Verb
This helps loosen up anything smelly that might be stuck to the blades.
—Halee Miller Van Ryswyk, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Oct. 2025
Marte helped Soto, who carries a business-like demeanor, to fit in by encouraging him to loosen up when appropriate.
—Will Sammon, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
Stir your fruit and/or veggies around in the mixture to loosen up leftover dirt and impurities.
—Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 2 Oct. 2025
Let your guard down and loosen up a bit.
—Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for loosen (up)
Cite this Entry
“Loosen (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/loosen%20%28up%29. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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