loosen

Antonyms for loosen

verb. set free

verb. let go of; fall

verb. let go of; fall

Word Origin & History

late 14c., losnen, later lousen (early 15c.), from loose (v.) + -en (1). Related: Loosened; loosening.

My arms have starved for you so—do you think they're going to loosen now?

He will prolong your life and loosen every button on your waistcoat.

Then he sought to loosen the rings that held the coat of mail.

Do not use a spoon, as that will not loosen the grains sufficiently.

He tried to loosen his neck-band; it seemed to be choking him.

He appears to be able to loosen that force in his own presence; I can only do it at a distance.

When you get there you must loosen your girdle and strike the tree with it three times in succession.

I had seen the multitudes "loosen up," I had felt myself melt into the crowd.

He was screaming and clutching at his throat, trying to loosen his collar.

And then, because he could not shout and because he could not loosen himself, there came a rift in his madness.