LOOSENING Synonyms

• a change for the better

• the act of reducing something unpleasant (as pain or annoyance)

• a change downward

• affording physical or mental rest

• an occurrence of control or strength weakening

• loosening the ties that fasten something

• becoming weaker

• the act of reducing the strength of something

• causing debilitation

• moderating by making pain or sorrow weaker

• provide physical relief, as from pain

• make easier

• lessen or to try to lessen the seriousness or extent of

• to temper

• untie or unfasten

• become less tense, rest, or take one's ease

• make less taut

• become loose or looser or less tight

• cause to feel relaxed

• become less tense, less formal, or less restrained, and assume a friendlier manner

• make less severe or strict

• become less severe or strict

• make less active or fast

• cancel, annul, or reverse an action or its effect

• deprive of certain characteristics

• cause the ruin or downfall of

• cause to become loose

• remove the outer cover or wrapping of

• freedom from difficulty or hardship or effort

• a freedom from financial difficulty that promotes a comfortable state

• the condition of being comfortable or relieved (especially after being relieved of distress)

• freedom from constraint or embarrassment

• freedom from activity (work or strain or responsibility)

• move gently or carefully

• lessen pain or discomfort; alleviate

• make easier

• lessen the intensity of or calm

• give equal rights to; of women and minorities

• grant freedom to; free from confinement

• grant freedom to

• release (gas or energy) as a result of a chemical reaction or physical decomposition

• not compact or dense in structure or arrangement

• not tight; not closely constrained or constricted or constricting

• not affixed

• without restraint

• (of a ball in sport) not in the possession or control of any player

• not officially recognized or controlled

• not literal

• emptying easily or excessively

• not tense or taut

• (of textures) full of small openings or gaps

• lacking a sense of restraint or responsibility

• not carefully arranged in a package

• having escaped, especially from confinement

• casual and unrestrained in sexual behavior

• grant freedom to; free from confinement

• turn loose or free from restraint

• make loose or looser

• become loose or looser or less tight

• merchandise issued for sale or public showing (especially a record or film)

• the act of liberating someone or something

• a process that liberates or discharges something

• an announcement distributed to members of the press in order to supplement or replace an oral presentation

• the termination of someone's employment (leaving them free to depart)

• euphemistic expressions for death

• a legal document evidencing the discharge of a debt or obligation

• a device that when pressed will release part of a mechanism

• activity that frees or expresses creative energy or emotion

• the act of allowing a fluid to escape

• a formal written statement of relinquishment

• (music) the act or manner of terminating a musical phrase or tone

• release, as from one's grip

• grant freedom to; free from confinement

• let (something) fall or spill from a container

• prepare and issue for public distribution or sale

• eliminate (a substance)

• generate and separate from cells or bodily fluids

• make (information) available for publication

• part with a possession or right

• release (gas or energy) as a result of a chemical reaction or physical decomposition

• make (assets) available

• cause to become undone

• become undone or untied

• to cause inconvenience or discomfort to

• put out considerable effort

• deprive of the oxygen necessary for combustion

• thrust or extend out

• put out, as of a candle or a light

• be sexually active

• cause to be out on a fielding play

• retire

• prepare and issue for public distribution or sale

• administer an anesthetic drug to

• grant freedom to

• someone given to teasing (as by mocking or stirring curiosity)

• a seductive woman who uses her sex appeal to exploit men

• the act of harassing someone playfully or maliciously (especially by ridicule); provoking someone with persistent annoyances

• annoy persistently

• harass with persistent criticism or carping

• to arouse hope, desire, or curiosity without satisfying them

• tear into pieces

• raise the nap of (fabrics)

• disentangle and raise the fibers of

• separate the fibers of

• mock or make fun of playfully

• ruffle (one's hair) by combing the ends towards the scalp, for a full effect