The term 'loosening, in a way' can be solved by two crossword solutions: 'untying' (7 letters) and 'unlacing' (8 letters). Both terms refer to the act of making something less tight or secure. Untying is the process of undoing knots or ties, while unlacing is the process of removing laces from a shoe or other item. Both terms are commonly used in everyday language and can be used to describe the act of loosening something.