loosening
Making less tight
Loosening is the process of making something less tight, firm, or restricted.
A bolt loosens with use; muscles loosen with stretching; rules loosen over time.
The word works both literally and figuratively: a loosening of her grip on the rope, a loosening of trade restrictions.
The opposite of tightening.
Loosening a fastened cord
- unbindingAct of freeing
- unfasteningOpening what was secured
- detachingUnfastening from attachment
- unhookingReleasing from a curved fastener
unlatching · unstrapping · unbuttoning · unzipping · unscrewing · unbolting · unclipping · unpinning
Removing governmental business restrictions
- liberalizationReducing state economic controls
- easingReducing strain or difficulty
- softeningBecoming less firm
- flexibilityAbility to adapt easily
leniency · permissiveness · tolerance · latitude · leeway · slack · breathing room · wiggle room
Ease or soothing relief
- alleviationReduction of intensity
- soothingReducing distress or discomfort
- mitigationReduction of severity
- respiteShort pause from hardship
ease · decompression · amelioration · assuagement · reprieve · release · unwinding · destressing
State of being unwound
- slackeningReduction in tightness
- softeningBecoming less firm
- moderationAvoidance of excess
- lesseningBecoming reduced in degree
reduction · lightening · tempering · abatement · diminution · de-escalation · thawing · mellowing
Alteration to improve fit
- calibrationAdjusting for measurement accuracy
- lubricationCoating to reduce friction
- servicingPerforming routine maintenance
- tuningAdjusting pitch accuracy
tightening · realignment · slackening · play · tolerance · fitting · wear
Ability to bend easily
- supplenessCapacity to bend easily
- elasticityTendency to resume original form
- giveTo transfer possession
- stretchinessAbility to elongate
bendability · malleability · plasticity · ductility · limberness · springiness · resilience · adaptability
untying
Loosening a fastened cord
- unbindingAct of freeing
- unfasteningOpening what was secured
- detachingUnfastening from attachment
unhooking · unlatching · unstrapping · unbuttoning · unzipping · unscrewing · unbolting · unclipping · unpinning · unlocking
deregulation
Removing governmental business restrictions
- liberalizationReducing state economic controls
- easingReducing strain or difficulty
- softeningBecoming less firm
flexibility · leniency · permissiveness · tolerance · latitude · leeway · slack · breathing room · wiggle room · decontrol
comfort
Ease or soothing relief
- alleviationReduction of intensity
- soothingReducing distress or discomfort
- mitigationReduction of severity
respite · ease · decompression · amelioration · assuagement · reprieve · release · unwinding · destressing · unburdening
relaxation
State of being unwound
- slackeningReduction in tightness
- softeningBecoming less firm
- moderationAvoidance of excess
lessening · reduction · lightening · tempering · abatement · diminution · de-escalation · thawing · mellowing · tapering
adjustment
Alteration to improve fit
- calibrationAdjusting for measurement accuracy
- lubricationCoating to reduce friction
- servicingPerforming routine maintenance
tuning · tightening · realignment · slackening · play · tolerance · fitting · wear
pliability
Ability to bend easily
- supplenessCapacity to bend easily
- elasticityTendency to resume original form
- giveTo transfer possession
stretchiness · bendability · malleability · plasticity · ductility · limberness · springiness · resilience · adaptability · softness
- separatingseparating, detaching, disconnecting, dividing, splitting
- mechanical adjustmentsalignment, calibration, tuning, tightening, balancing
- adjustmentsadjustment, tweaks, adjust, shifts, fixes
- disconnectingdetaching, disconnect, disengaging, detach, disconnecting
- adjustingtuning, readjusting, calibrating, tweaking, modifying
- clothing actionsdressing, donning, wearing, buttoning, zipping
looseningtightening
Making less loose
restricting · constraining · cracking down · constricting · strengthening
looseningstiffening
Becoming less pliable
tensing · tightening · contracting · clenching · bracing
- loosening upReducing tension or rigidity
- loosening belt