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loos·en
 loosen
- pronunciation:
- lu
s
 n
- parts of speech:
- transitive verb, intransitive verb
- features:
- Word Explorer
| part of speech: |
transitive verb |
| inflections: |
loosened, loosening, loosens |
| definition 1: |
to unfasten or undo.
- synonyms:
- loose, release, undo, unfasten
- antonyms:
- fasten
- similar words:
- disengage, disjoin, free, separate, unbind, unhook, untie
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| definition 2: |
to make less restrictive; slacken.
She loosened her hold.- synonyms:
- ease, loose, relax, slack, slacken
- antonyms:
- tighten
- similar words:
- mitigate
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| definition 3: |
to relax (constraint or the like).
They loosened too many regulations.- synonyms:
- ease, loose, relax
- antonyms:
- tighten
- similar words:
- mitigate, moderate, mollify, soften, tone down
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| definition 4: |
to make less dense or compact.
She loosened the dirt around the plant.- antonyms:
- compact
- similar words:
- disintegrate, disperse, dissipate, mollify, soften
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| related words: |
limber, mollify |
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| part of speech: |
intransitive verb |
| definition: |
to become less bound, inhibited, or constrained (often fol. by up).
He loosened up after a couple of drinks.- synonyms:
- relax
- similar words:
- limber, mellow out, open, relent, soften, unbend
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| related words: |
ease |
| derivation: |
loosener (n.) |
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