Loosening: meaning, definitions and examples

When you talk about reducing tension in a non-physical context, such as muscles, people, or situations.

• After a long day at work, it's important to relax and unwind

When you want to completely undo something that has been fastened, such as a seatbelt, button, or clasp.

• Unfasten your seatbelts after the plane has landed

Often used when you need to reduce the tightness or speed of something such as a rope, belt, or control.

• Slacken the rope to give it some more slack

Used when something is becoming less tight or stricter. Commonly applies to rules, restrictions, or knots.

• The government is loosening the restrictions
• Can you help me with loosening this knot?

Refers to reducing stress or making something less tense, often used in a leisure or medical context.

• Yoga is great for relaxation
• The doctor recommends some relaxation techniques

Describes the action of undoing something that is closed or secured, commonly used with physical objects like belts, buttons, or locks.

• She is unfastening her seatbelt
• He spent a few minutes unfastening the locks

Used when something is becoming less tight, firm, or intense, often with a negative connotation of decreased performance or vigilance.

• The rope is slackening, it might not hold much longer
• His work performance has been slackening recently