1. loose, loosen

make loose or looser

Example Sentences:
'loosen the tension on a rope'

• loose

2. loosen, relax

make less severe or strict

Example Sentences:
'The government relaxed the curfew after most of the rebels were caught'

• relax

3. loosen, relax

become less severe or strict

Example Sentences:
'The rules relaxed after the new director arrived'

• relax

4. loosen, tease, tease apart

disentangle and raise the fibers of

Example Sentences:
'tease wool'

• tease
• tease apart

5. loosen, undo, untie

cause to become loose

Example Sentences:
'undo the shoelace'
'untie the knot'
'loosen the necktie'

• undo
• untie

6. loosen

make less dense

Example Sentences:
'loosen the soil'

7. loose, loosen, relax

become loose or looser or less tight

Example Sentences:
'The noose loosened'
'the rope relaxed'

• loose
• relax