loosened, relaxed
Tom lockerte seinen Griff.
Tom loosened his grip.
Tom lockerte seine Krawatte und nahm seine Brille ab.
Tom loosened his tie and took off his glasses.
Sein Scherz lockerte die Spannung im Raum.
His joke eased the tension in the room.
Tom lockerte den Knoten seiner Krawatte.
Tom loosened the knot in his tie.