unloosen
Slacken a knot
Unloosen means to loosen or release—identical in meaning to loosen despite the apparent double negative.
The un- prefix here intensifies rather than reverses, as in unravel or unthaw.
He unloosened his grip on the rope.
The word is uncommon and often sounds redundant to modern ears, with loosen preferred in most contexts.
Without payment or restriction
- liberateSet free from captivity
- unleashTo release from restraint
- unshackleRemove bonds from
- extricateFree from entanglement
disentangle · unlock · unbolt · unlatch · unbar · unseal · uncork · unclip
Undo a fastening
- unbindTo release from bonds
- unfastenRelease from attachment
- detachTo separate from
- disengageBreak free from attachment
unclasp · unbutton · unzip · unstrap · unbuckle · unhook · unpin · unlace
To let go
- reliefEasing of distress
- unburdeningRelieving oneself of weight
- letting goReleasing one's grasp
- catharsisPurification through emotional expression
relaxation · decompression · unwinding · easing · softening · mellowing · opening up · liberation
Paired negations in syntax
- nonstandardDeparting from established norms
- redundancyNeedless duplication
- pleonasmRedundant expression
- intensifierSomething that strengthens
dialectal · colloquial · emphatic · tautology · irregular
free
Without payment or restriction
extricate · disentangle · unlock · unbolt · unlatch · unbar · unseal · uncork · unclip · unhitch
untie
Undo a fastening
disengage · unclasp · unbutton · unzip · unstrap · unbuckle · unhook · unpin · unlace · unknot
release
To let go
- reliefEasing of distress
- unburdeningRelieving oneself of weight
- letting goReleasing one's grasp
catharsis · relaxation · decompression · unwinding · easing · softening · mellowing · opening up · liberation · freedom
double negative
Paired negations in syntax
- nonstandardDeparting from established norms
- redundancyNeedless duplication
- pleonasmRedundant expression
intensifier · dialectal · colloquial · emphatic · tautology · irregular