loosen up

VERB

chill out

Synonyms

WEAK

chill cool it cool off mellow relax settle down simmer down take a chill pill

VERB

condition

Synonyms

STRONGEST

accustom brainwash educate

STRONG

equip habituate inure modify practice program ready sharpen train

WEAK

build up make ready shape up tone up toughen up warm up whip into shape work out work over

Antonyms

STRONG

forget neglect

VERB

exercise

Synonyms

STRONGEST

develop exert improve prepare train work out

STRONG

break condition cultivate discipline drill fix foster groom habituate hone inure labor maneuver ply practice rehearse set strain teach work

WEAK

break in dry run lick into shape limber up pump iron put out put through grind put through mill run through tune up walk through warm up

Antonyms

STRONGEST

decrease neglect

STRONG

destroy discourage forget halt idle ignore laze relax rest

WEAK

not use

VERB

kick back

Synonyms

STRONGEST

lie down recline sit back take it easy unwind

WEAK

breathe easy calm down catch one's breath chill out collect oneself compose oneself cool off feel at home hang loose make oneself at home mellow out put one's feet up rest settle back sit around take a break take a breather take a load off take ten wind down

VERB

relax

Synonyms

STRONGEST

calm lie down recline sit back soften unwind

STRONG

laze repose rest tranquilize unbend unlax

WEAK

breathe easy calm down collect oneself compose oneself cool off ease off feel at home hang loose knock off let oneself go make oneself at home put one's feet up settle back simmer down sit around stop work take a break take a breather take it easy take one's time take ten take time out

Antonyms

STRONGEST

agitate irritate worry

STRONG

be active energize

WEAK

excite grow increase tense

VERB

unwind

Synonyms

STRONGEST

sit back take it easy

STRONG

quieten recline rest

WEAK

calm down ease off quiet down slow down take a break wind down

Antonyms

WEAK

agitate prepare ready tangle twist wind

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"I tried to loosen up a little bit. It helped. I changed a bit also the way of how I played certain points. That helped me today, for sure."

From Barron's • Jan. 24, 2026

Investors rode into 2026 hopeful that a cocktail of lower interest rates, tax breaks, easing inflation and tariff clarity would loosen up consumer spending.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 12, 2026

Alex’s confessional comedy bits loosen up something in him that had been locked down, leading to some refreshingly frank exchanges between him and Tess.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 18, 2025

“So, I chose physical therapy to try and loosen up this side of my face and try to encourage it to come back with stretches.”

From BBC • Nov. 24, 2024

"Ah, come on, sugar, loosen up, will ya?" his wife coaxed him.

From "How the García Girls Lost Their Accents" by Julia Alvarez

loosen up

Example Sentences

Related Words