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loosen
[loo-suhn]
verb (used with object)
to unfasten or undo, as a bond or fetter.
to make less tight; slacken or relax.
to loosen one's grasp.
to make less firmly fixed in place.
to loosen a tooth.
to let loose or set free from bonds, restraint, or constraint.
to make less close or compact in structure or arrangement.
to make less dense or coherent.
to loosen the soil in a garden.
to relax in strictness or severity, as restraint or discipline.
to loosen restrictions on trade.
to relieve (the bowels) of their constipated condition.
verb (used without object)
to become loose or looser (sometimes followed byup ).
His hold loosened. Your shoes will loosen up with wear.
loosen
/ ˈːə /
verb
to make or become less tight, fixed, etc
(often foll by up) to make or become less firm, compact, or rigid
(tr) to untie
(tr) to let loose; set free
(often foll by up) to make or become less strict, severe, etc
(tr) to rid or relieve (the bowels) of constipation
Other 51Թ Forms
- loosener noun
- ˈǴDzԱ noun
51Թ History and Origins
51Թ History and Origins
Origin of loosen1
Example Sentences
The lawsuit also alleges that the county’s drone policy has loosened in the past several years.
Last year, abortion rights supporters turned in more than 100,000 signatures for a ballot measure that would have loosened the state’s near-total abortion ban.
The Club World Cup’s cash prizes offer MLS a powerful incentive to loosen its rules.
Under threat of regulatory penalties, banks significantly loosened lending standards — again, inflating the housing bubble.
As states consider loosening laws that regulate child labor, Lewis W. Hine’s early 20th century photographs, which helped child labor laws get passed, are worth our attention once again.
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