tighten

verb

tight·​en ˈtī-tᵊn 

tightened; tightening ˈtīt-niŋ 

ˈtī-tᵊn-iŋ

transitive verb

: to make tight or tighter

intransitive verb

: to become tight or tighter

tightener

ˈtīt-nər

ˈtī-tᵊn-ər 

noun

Phrases

tighten one's belt

: to practice strict economy

Synonyms

• strain
• stretch
• tauten
• tense

Examples of tighten in a Sentence

She tightened her hold on the handle.

tighten the straps on the backpack so that the load doesn't shift while hiking

Recent Examples on the Web

The proposal was, in fact, a calculated business maneuver designed to bring in billions of dollars in new revenue, box competitors out of lucrative government contracts and tighten the company’s grip on federal business. —Renee Dudley, ProPublica, 15 Nov. 2024

Donald Trump could tighten sanctions on Iran, reducing supply from the Islamic Republic and putting upward pressure on prices in the short term, the investment bank told clients in a Monday note. —Jesse Pound,samantha Subin, CNBC, 4 Nov. 2024

As the technology has progressed, however, the rules governing shipwrecks have tightened considerably. —Sam Knight, The New Yorker, 4 Nov. 2024

Electoral College Projections Favor Trump, Barely Harris may be leading in national polls, but her path to the necessary 270 Electoral College votes has tightened. —David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1727, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Phrases Containing tighten

• tighten/put the thumbscrews on
• tighten the noose
• tighten the purse strings
• tighten the screws
• tighten up

Kids Definition

tighten

verb

tight·​en ˈtīt-ᵊn 

tightened; tightening ˈtīt-niŋ 

-ᵊn-iŋ

: to make or become tight or tighter

tightener

-nər 

-ᵊn-ər

noun