loosen up

verb

loosened up; loosening up; loosens up
Synonyms of loosen upnext

intransitive verb

: to become less tense : relax

Synonyms of loosen up

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Examples of loosen up in a Sentence

hoped that adding a second lane would loosen up traffic on that street a high-pressure job that makes it hard for him to loosen up even on weekends
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
For almost as long, ambitious station owners have tried to get the government to loosen up. — Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2026 Instead, the speakers who resonate most today are those who loosen up and embrace a more idiosyncratic, less perfect expressiveness. — Matt Abrahams, Time, 5 Aug. 2026 Eventually, Cease loosened up enough to mow through many Red Sox. — Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 26 July 2026 The hot queso frito loaded with Oaxaca cheese, salsa negra, pico, cilantro, and tortillas is richer and exactly the kind of dish that loosens up a group after a second round of drinks. — Rafael Peña, Miami Herald, 13 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for loosen up

Word History

First Known Use

1922, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of loosen up was in 1922

Rhymes for loosen up

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Browse Nearby Words

loosen the purse strings
loosen up
loose-pin butt
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Cite this Entry

“Loosen up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/loosen%20up. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

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