He used a spade to loosen the soil. She loosened the cake from the sides of the pan. After eating so much I had to loosen my belt. When the meeting was over he loosened his tie. One of the screws had loosened a bit and had to be tightened. Each generation seems to loosen the established standards of behavior. Standards of behavior seem to be loosening everywhere. See More
Recent Examples on the WebIf too thick, loosen with additional olive oil and a little water. Kathleen Squires, WSJ, 26 Aug. 2022 Then reach into the opening at the base of the dryer with the brush, loosen the lint and vacuum it out. Jeanne Huber, Washington Post, 8 Aug. 2022 Finally, metal hand rakes are used for detail work, like neatening up raised beds and to loosen and cultivate soil. Rachel Klein, Popular Mechanics, 5 Aug. 2022 Challengers across the ideological spectrum have launched campaigns, hoping that the new maps will loosen the terrain and lead to the unseating of longtime incumbents.New York Times, 1 Aug. 2022 Candidates may be less inclined to levy fines and loosen inspections during campaigns. Gabriela Sá Pessoa And Kasha Patel, Anchorage Daily News, 8 July 2022 When business performance slows, companies will freeze hiring or even impose layoffs, which will loosen demand for workers and slow wage growth, experts said. Max Zahn, ABC News, 16 June 2022 Or talk about how strengthening your glutes can help with power, or how mobility moves can help loosen a tight back. Shauna Harrison, SELF, 14 June 2022 Biden clearly hopes that ushering the Saudis back into the proverbial family of nations will loosen the spigots. Michael A. Cohen, The New Republic, 8 June 2022 See More