What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
ungrip
Example
He had to ungrip the steering wheel to answer his phone. [ungrip: verb]
Example
She slowly ungripped her hand from the door handle. [ungripped: past tense]
loosen
Example
Can you loosen this jar lid for me? [loosen: verb]
Example
He loosened his tie after a long day at work. [loosened: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Loosen is more commonly used than ungrip in everyday language. Loosen is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while ungrip is less common and refers to more specific situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between ungrip and loosen?
Both ungrip and loosen are relatively informal words and can be used in casual conversation. However, loosen may be slightly more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.