loosening Meaning, Definition & Usage

1. noun an occurrence of control or strength weakening
   slackening; relaxation.
   
   • the relaxation of requirements
   • the loosening of his grip
   • the slackening of the wind
2. noun the act of making something less tight
   laxation.
   
3. verb make loose or looser
   loosen; loose.
   
   • loosen the tension on a rope
4. verb make less severe or strict
   loosen; relax.
   
   • The government relaxed the curfew after most of the rebels were caught
5. verb become less severe or strict
   loosen; relax.
   
   • The rules relaxed after the new director arrived
6. verb disentangle and raise the fibers of
   loosen; tease apart; tease.
   
   • tease wool
7. verb cause to become loose
   loosen; untie; undo.
   
   • undo the shoelace
   • untie the knot
   • loosen the necktie
8. verb make less dense
   loosen.
   
   • loosen the soil
9. verb become loose or looser or less tight
   loosen; loose; relax.
   
   • The noose loosened
   • the rope relaxed

WordNet