untightening
Making less taut
Untightening is loosening—reducing the tightness of something by turning, releasing, or relaxing it: She began untightening the bolts on the wheel.
The word appears in contexts where the gradual or ongoing nature of the loosening matters, though loosening itself is more common.
Reducing tightness or tension
- slackeningReduction in tightness
- unscrewingRotating to remove
- unboltingRemoving a sliding fastener
- unfasteningOpening what was secured
releasing · unclamping · unlatching · detaching · unhooking · unstrapping · unpinning · unsnapping
Becoming less tense
- easingReducing strain or difficulty
- softeningBecoming less firm
- looseningReducing tightness or tension
- flexibilityAbility to adapt easily
leniency · slackening · moderation · letting up · backing off · yielding · accommodation · permissiveness
Allowing to escape
- easingReducing strain or difficulty
- relaxingBecoming less tense
- alleviatingMaking less severe
- loosening upReducing tension or rigidity
decompression · unwinding · softening · letting go · tension release · muscle relaxation · stress relief · unclenching
Performing routine maintenance
- repairRestore to working order
- adjustmentAlteration to improve fit
- lubricationCoating to reduce friction
- inspectionFormal assessment of condition
calibration · overhaul · upkeep · diagnostics · reconditioning · mechanic · technician · workshop
loosening
Reducing tightness or tension
- slackeningReduction in tightness
- unscrewingRotating to remove
- unboltingRemoving a sliding fastener
unfastening · releasing · unclamping · unlatching · detaching · unhooking · unstrapping · unpinning · unsnapping · unbinding
relaxing
Becoming less tense
- easingReducing strain or difficulty
- softeningBecoming less firm
- looseningReducing tightness or tension
flexibility · leniency · slackening · moderation · letting up · backing off · yielding · accommodation · permissiveness
releasing
Allowing to escape
- easingReducing strain or difficulty
- relaxingBecoming less tense
- alleviatingMaking less severe
loosening up · decompression · unwinding · softening · letting go · tension release · muscle relaxation · stress relief · unclenching · unburdening
servicing
Performing routine maintenance
- repairRestore to working order
- adjustmentAlteration to improve fit
- lubricationCoating to reduce friction
inspection · calibration · overhaul · upkeep · diagnostics · reconditioning · mechanic · technician · workshop · tools
tight, tighten, tightness, tightly, tightened, tightens, tightening, untighten, unloosen