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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of loosen (up)
Michael Santoli, CNBC, 17 May 2025
For the first time this series, the Avalanche were scrambling, loosening up offensively, which invariably loosened things up defensively.
—Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2025
With Craig Kimbrel, Héctor Neris and James McCann in the minors getting loosened up after late signings, Atlanta’s out for blood this year.
—Ken Rosenthal, The Athletic, 25 Mar. 2025
Heat from cooking can loosen up these folds so your body can readily use the compounds.
—Caroline Hopkins Legaspi, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for loosen (up)
Verb
Investors have loosened up and are deservedly enjoying the resounding six-week market comeback — which takes them ever closer to the hard-to-discern line between harmless fun and reckless indulgence.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 17 May 2025
For the first time this series, the Avalanche were scrambling, loosening up offensively, which invariably loosened things up defensively.
—Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2025
With Craig Kimbrel, Héctor Neris and James McCann in the minors getting loosened up after late signings, Atlanta’s out for blood this year.
—Ken Rosenthal, The Athletic, 25 Mar. 2025
Heat from cooking can loosen up these folds so your body can readily use the compounds.
—Caroline Hopkins Legaspi, New York Times, 14 Apr. 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 19 Jul. 2025.
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