loosen

• Etwas weniger fest oder straff machen oder lockern; auch: sich lockern oder nachgeben.

To make something less tight or firm, or to become less tight or firm.

1. Make less tight or firmB1formal

   To cause something to become less tight, fixed, or firmly held.

   Lockern

   • He loosened his tie after the long meeting.
   • She loosened the jar lid with a cloth.
   • The mechanic loosened the bolts on the wheel.

   Synonymeeaselooserelaxreleaseslacken

   Antonymetighten

2. Make less strict or severeB2formal

   To reduce the strictness, severity, or intensity of rules, restrictions, or control.

   Lockern

   • The government decided to loosen the lockdown restrictions.
   • The teacher loosened the deadline for the assignment.
   • They loosened the rules on dress code at the office.

   Synonymealleviateeaselessenmitigatemoderatereducerelaxslackensoftentemper

   Antonymestiffenstrengthentighten

3. Become less tight or strictB2formal

   To become less tight, fixed, or severe.

   Sich lockern

   • His grip on the rope loosened as he grew tired.
   • The regulations loosened over time.
   • Her muscles loosened after a warm bath.

   Synonymeeaselet uploosen uprelaxslacken

   Antonymeconstrictstiffentighten

4. Disentangle fibersC1formal

   To separate and raise the fibers of a material, such as wool or cotton.

   Fasern auflockern

   • The machine loosens the wool fibers before spinning.
   • She loosened the cotton to make it softer.
   • The process loosens the fibers for better weaving.

   Synonymecardcombflufftease

   Antonymeentanglefeltmattangle

5. Make less denseC1formal

   To reduce the density or compactness of something.

   Auflockern

   • The gardener loosened the soil before planting.
   • He loosened the packed sand with a rake.
   • The mixture loosens the clay for easier molding.

   Synonymeaeratebreak upfluffrarefy

   Antonymecompactcompresscondensepacksolidify

Phrasal-Variantenloosen up