loosened

USAGE SUMMARY

'loosened' is an acceptable and commonly used word in written English.
You can use it to refer to the act of something being untied, freed, or made less tight. For example: "The rope was loosened by the Seaman, and the boat was set free."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Now the cork in the bottle has been loosened, and the genies of race, religion, free speech and western-style liberal values have begun to escape.

The Guardian - Opinion

Most of the sauces are also rather too thick at room temperature, but they're easily loosened with a little water or a dash more coconut milk for your dipping pleasure.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He loosened the purse strings toward the end of the year, increasing his food budget to £25 a week.

The Guardian - Money

Even today, with Queensland riding an eight-series streak which began in 2006 (way back when petrol was 5c-a-litre and kids rolled hoops along the footpath for fun) its hold on the collective cojones of the faithful hasn't loosened.

The Guardian - Sport

The link between effort and reward, already loosened by the bonus-rich inequalities of the previous decade, has unravelled further.

The Guardian

At the same time, she loosened her grip on the one thing the music industry has clutched to its heart while everything around it changed: the idea of the monolithic album release.

The Guardian - Music

Perry said his hard work and perseverance eventually propelled him to the governor's mansion in Texas, where he loosened regulations and lowered taxes.

The Guardian

In the mid-90s, he felt deeply uncomfortable with Ashdown's closeness to New Labour and he loosened the ties when he succeeded Ashdown as Lib Dem leader in 1999.

The Guardian

But he felt deeply uncomfortable about Ashdown's closeness to New Labour in the mid-90s and loosened the ties when he succeeded him as Lib Dem leader in 1999.

The Guardian

He loosened his tie.

The Economist

Those restrictions could be loosened, but any tinkering would come into effect only after a lag, of say three days.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing policy changes or regulations, use "loosened" to indicate a reduction in strictness or enforcement. For example: "The government loosened restrictions on foreign investment."

Common error

Be careful not to use "loosened" when you mean someone has become more relaxed or less anxious. "Relaxed" or "eased up" are more appropriate for describing emotional states, whereas "loosened" refers to physical or regulatory adjustments.

Linguistic Context

The word "loosened" primarily functions as a verb in past participle form or as an adjective. As a verb, it describes the action of making something less tight, strict, or firm. As an adjective, it describes something that has been made less tight or strict. Ludwig AI confirms that it follows standard grammar rules.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Formal & Business

18%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "loosened" is a versatile term primarily used as a verb or adjective to describe something that has become less tight or restricted. Ludwig AI confirms that the word follows standard grammar rules. It appears frequently in news, formal business contexts, and technical fields. Related phrases include "made less tight" and "relaxed". When using "loosened", be mindful of its precise meaning; it's about physical or regulatory adjustments. For emotional states, use alternatives like "relaxed". With its wide range of applications, "loosened" is an efficient term to describe a lessening of constraint or tension in various contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Made less tight

Focuses specifically on the physical reduction of tightness.

Relaxed

Suggests a decrease in tension or strictness.

Eased

Implies a reduction in pressure or difficulty.

Slackened

Similar to loosened, but often implies a reduction in tension of something already somewhat loose.

Unfastened

Focuses on undoing a fastening or closure.

Made more flexible

Highlights the increase in adaptability or pliability.

Alleviated

Implies the reduction of something negative, like pain or restrictions.

Reduced in intensity

Emphasizes a decrease in strength or severity.

Liberated

Suggests freedom from constraints or control.

Softened

Indicates a reduction in harshness or severity.

FAQs

How can I use "loosened" in a sentence?

You can use "loosened" to describe something that has become less tight or less strict. For example: "He "loosened his tie"", or "The government "loosened the regulations"".

What's the difference between "loosened" and "relaxed"?

"Loosened" typically refers to a physical adjustment or a reduction in strictness, while "relaxed" often describes a state of reduced tension or anxiety. You "loosened the bolt", but you "relaxed after a long day".

Which is correct, "the rules have loosened" or "the rules have been loosened"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "the rules have been loosened" is more formal and explicitly indicates that an action was performed on the rules. "The rules have loosened" is a more concise and slightly less formal way of saying the same thing.

What are some situations when I might use "eased" instead of "loosened"?

You might use "eased" instead of "loosened" when referring to the lessening of pain or burden, or when a difficult situation becomes less severe. For example, "The pain "eased" after taking medication", or "Tensions "eased" after the negotiations".