loosen

• Rendre quelque chose moins serré, moins tendu ou moins fixe, ou devenir moins serré ou moins tendu.

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.

   Desserrer

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

   Synonymeseaselooserelaxreleaseslacken

   Antonymestighten

2. Make less strict or severeB2formal

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

   assouplir

   • 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.

   Synonymesalleviateeaselessenmitigatemoderatereducerelaxslackensoftentemper

   Antonymesstiffenstrengthentighten

3. Become less tight or strictB2formal

   To become less tight, fixed, or severe.

   se relâcher

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

   Synonymeseaselet uploosen uprelaxslacken

   Antonymesconstrictstiffentighten

4. Disentangle fibersC1formal

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

   Démêler les fibres

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

   Synonymescardcombflufftease

   Antonymesentanglefeltmattangle

5. Make less denseC1formal

   To reduce the density or compactness of something.

   Rendre moins dense

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

   Synonymesaeratebreak upfluffrarefy

   Antonymescompactcompresscondensepacksolidify

Variantes phrasalloosen up