To become loose or slack (e.g., a rope or bolt losing tension).
台風の後でロープが緩んでいた。
After the typhoon the rope had become loose.
ネジが緩んで機械が動かなくなった。
A screw came loose and the machine stopped working.
To become less tense or to relax; also to let one's guard down.
試験が終わって気が緩んだ。
After the exam I relaxed and let my guard down.
連続勤務が続き、注意力が緩んでミスが増えた。
After continuous shifts my attention lapsed and mistakes increased.
To become lax (e.g., supervision, discipline, or enforcement becoming less strict).
管理が緩んだ結果、不正が発覚した。
As a result of lax management, wrongdoing was discovered.
規則が緩むと品質が低下することがある。
When rules become lax, quality can sometimes decline.
To become softer (e.g., ground), facial expression to relax, or (of ice) to begin to melt partially.
春の陽気で雪が緩み始めた。
With the spring weather, the snow started to soften/melt.
彼女の顔の表情が緩んだ瞬間を見逃さなかった。
I didn't miss the moment her facial expression softened.
To decrease or slacken (e.g., speed or intensity slowing down).
風が弱まり、船の速度が緩んだ。
The wind eased and the ship's speed slowed.
山道で車のスピードが緩んだ。
The car slowed down on the mountain road.
To ease or soften (of market prices) — to go down slightly.
需要が落ち着き、株価が緩んだ。
Demand calmed and stock prices eased.
原油価格が緩み、輸入コストが下がった。
Crude oil prices eased and import costs fell.