Dictionary entry details
• LOOSEN (verb)
Meaning:
Make loose or looser
Classified under:
Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.
Synonyms:
loosen; loose
Context example:
loosen the tension on a rope
Hypernyms (to "loosen" is one way to...):
alter; change; modify (cause to change; make different; cause a transformation)
Cause:
loose; loosen; relax (become loose or looser or less tight)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "loosen"):
relax; unbend (make less tight)
remit; slacken (make slack as by lessening tension or firmness)
slack (release tension on)
unscrew (loosen something by unscrewing it)
unscrew (loosen by turning)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s somebody
Something ----s something
Antonym:
stiffen (make stiff or stiffer)
Meaning:
Make less severe or strict
Classified under:
Verbs of political and social activities and events
Synonyms:
loosen; relax
Context example:
The government relaxed the curfew after most of the rebels were caught
Hypernyms (to "loosen" is one way to...):
alter; change; modify (cause to change; make different; cause a transformation)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something
Meaning:
Become less severe or strict
Classified under:
Verbs of political and social activities and events
Synonyms:
loosen; relax
Context example:
The rules relaxed after the new director arrived
Hypernyms (to "loosen" is one way to...):
change (undergo a change; become different in essence; losing one's or its original nature)
Sentence frame:
Something ----s
Meaning:
Disentangle and raise the fibers of
Classified under:
Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging
Synonyms:
tease apart; loosen; tease
Context example:
tease wool
Hypernyms (to "loosen" is one way to...):
disentangle; straighten out; unsnarl (extricate from entanglement)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s something
Meaning:
Cause to become loose
Classified under:
Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging
Synonyms:
untie; undo; loosen
Context examples:
undo the shoelace / untie the knot / loosen the necktie
Hypernyms (to "loosen" is one way to...):
alter; change; modify (cause to change; make different; cause a transformation)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s something
Meaning:
Make less dense
Classified under:
Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging
Context example:
loosen the soil
Hypernyms (to "loosen" is one way to...):
alter; change; modify (cause to change; make different; cause a transformation)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "loosen"):
scarify (break up)
fluff; ruffle (erect or fluff up)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something
Meaning:
Become loose or looser or less tight
Classified under:
Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.
Synonyms:
relax; loose; loosen
Context examples:
The noose loosened / the rope relaxed
Hypernyms (to "loosen" is one way to...):
weaken (become weaker)
Sentence frames:
Something ----s
Somebody ----s
Antonym:
stiffen (become stiff or stiffer)
