loosen meaning and definition

LOOSEN verb

Definition of loosen (verb)

1. make loose or looser
   • "loosen the tension on a rope"
   • synonyms: loose
   • antonym: stiffen
2. make less severe or strict
   • "The government relaxed the curfew after most of the rebels were caught"
   • synonyms: relax
3. become less severe or strict
   • "The rules relaxed after the new director arrived"
   • synonyms: relax
4. disentangle and raise the fibers of
   • "tease wool"
   • synonyms: tease, tease apart
5. cause to become loose
   • "undo the shoelace"; "untie the knot"; "loosen the necktie"
   • synonyms: undo, untie
6. make less dense
   • "loosen the soil"
7. become loose or looser or less tight
   • "The noose loosened"; "the rope relaxed"
   • synonyms: loose, relax
   • antonym: stiffen