loosen
7 synonyms and 2 antonyms for loosen, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To make something less tight, or to become less tight.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use loosen
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
loosen your grip
loosen up
loosen restrictions
Etymology
From loose plus the verb-forming suffix -en, meaning "to make loose."
Full origin of loosen →Frequently asked questions
What does “loosen” mean?
The word “loosen” means to make something less tight, or to become less tight. In plain terms, to make (or become) less tight, or to relax a restriction.
How do you pronounce “loosen”?
“Loosen” is pronounced LOOSN (/ˈluːsn̩/ in IPA).
How do you use “loosen” in a sentence?
Here is “loosen” used in a sentence: “He loosened his tie after the long meeting.”
What is another word for “loosen”?
Words with a similar meaning to “loosen” include relax, slacken and untighten.
What is the opposite of “loosen”?
The opposite of “loosen” — its antonyms — is tighten.
What part of speech is “loosen”?
“Loosen” is a verb.
Is “loosen” a common word?
“Loosen” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “loosen” have?
“Loosen” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to make something less tight, or to become less tight.
