loosen

Verb

Verb Forms: loosened, loosening, loosens

To make or become less tight, firm, or rigid.
make loose or looser
- "loosen the tension on a rope"
make less severe or strict
become less severe or strict
disentangle and raise the fibers of
cause to become loose
- "loosen the necktie"
make less dense
- "loosen the soil"
become loose or looser or less tight
- "The noose loosened"
To make loose.
To become loose.
To disengage (a device that restrains).
To become unfastened or undone.
To free from restraint; to set at liberty.
To relieve (the bowels) from constipation; to promote defecation.
To create a breach or rift between (two parties).
To sail away (from the shore).

Examples

After the Thanksgiving meal, Bill loosened his belt.
I noticed that my seatbelt had gradually loosened during the journey.
to loosen a knot; to loosen one's grip / hold on something
With one good play, he hoped to LOOSEN his opponent’s stranglehold on the board.

Origin / Etymology

From loose + -en.

Synonyms

loose, relax, tease, tease apart, undo, untie, ease, liberate, loosen, put out, release, set free, slacken, unfasten, untighten

Antonyms

stiffen, tighten

Scrabble Score: 6

loosen: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Word
loosen: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
loosen: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 8

loosen: valid Words With Friends Word