loosen

pronunciation

How to pronounce loosen in British English: UK [ˈluːsn] word uk audio image

How to pronounce loosen in American English: US [ˈluːsn] word us audio image

Verb:

make loose or looser
make less severe or strict
become less severe or strict
disentangle and raise the fibers of
cause to become loose
make less dense
become loose or looser or less tight

Word Origin

loosen (v.): late 14c., losnen, later lousen (early 15c.), from loose (v.) + -en (1). Related: Loosened; loosening.

Synonym

v.

disseminate spread disperse dissipate out scatter disintegrate

v.

disjoin unpin disengage unhook divide unglue detach sunder sever unfasten disconnect separate unfix disunite unstick

v.

ease slack tension slacken relax up

v.

unchain let untie release unmew free unbind emancipate unpen enfranchise unlock unfetter extricate undo go unbridle untether unshackle affranchise liberate unyoke disimprison disenthrall

v.

lessen weaken mollify decline diminish lighten soften allay abate assuage wane decrease attenuate remit subdue alleviate mitigate reduce subside relieve

Antonym

vt. & vi.

Example

1. Not that anyone is expecting the bank to loosen policy .

2. Why won 't the chinese loosen their wallets ?

3. This will loosen any build-up of protein or dirt on the lens .

4. Inner tensions will loosen up and leave your body .

5. The trilogy seemed to loosen him up , for he then launched his most internationally successful films , starting withgabbeh .

more: >How to Use "loosen" with Example Sentences