unstiffen
Reduce the rigidity
To unstiffen is to make something less stiff or rigid, or to become less stiff oneself.
The word applies both to physical things—she massaged her neck to unstiffen the muscles—and to manner or behavior, where it suggests relaxing from a formal or tense posture.
It's the straightforward opposite of stiffen, though far less common in everyday use.
Become less taut
- releaseTo let go
- untightenReduce tension or grip
- unfastenRelease from attachment
- unclaspOpen a hinged fastener
unhook · unlace · unstrap · unpin · unbolt · unlock · detach · disengage
Flexing without damage
- pliableCapable of bending easily
- malleableCapable of being shaped
- yieldingBending under pressure
- tenderizeMake less tough
thaw · warm · temper · anneal · plasticize · smooth · gentle · moisten
slacken
Become less taut
unclasp · unhook · unlace · unstrap · unpin · unbolt · unlock · detach · disengage · free
supple
Flexing without damage
tenderize · thaw · warm · temper · anneal · plasticize · smooth · gentle · moisten · knead
pliable
Capable of bending easily
limber · pliant · malleable · springy · resilient · yielding · stretchable · tensile · flexile · lissome
decompress
Release stored pressure
loosen up · ease · rest · breathe · stretch · mellow · settle · soothe · release tension · let go