tightened 1 of 2

tightened

2 of 2

verb

past tense of tighten
as in tensed
to draw tight tighten the straps on the backpack so that the load doesn't shift while hiking

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of tightened
Verb
Camp Pendleton has tightened access to the sprawling Marine base in North County in the wake of the New Year’s Day attack in New Orleans that killed 14 people. Gary Robbins, The Mercury News, 6 Jan. 2025 But the Pole tightened when on the front foot in two baseline exchanges, moving forward at the wrong time and letting Fritz move out in front. James Hansen, The Athletic, 5 Jan. 2025 The Biden administration tightened those restrictions in October 2023 and once again in December 2024. Lionel Lim, Fortune Asia, 3 Jan. 2025 State Farm General, Farmers, Allstate and other companies have all declined to write or limited new policies, or tightened their underwriting standards. Andrea Chang, Los Angeles Times, 3 Jan. 2025 The automobile manufacturer said in the NHTSA recall report that the front upper control arm ball joint nut may not be tightened properly. Ahjané Forbes, USA TODAY, 30 Dec. 2024 Department officials have tightened their camera policy, and raised the possibility of using AI to review the countless hours of footage that goes unseen each month. Libor Jany, Los Angeles Times, 28 Dec. 2024 The Commanders tightened their defensive alignment after Hurts exited the game. Brooks Kubena, The Athletic, 27 Dec. 2024 The defense tightened when Walker replaced David Long as the starting inside linebacker in November. Omar Kelly, Orlando Sentinel, 26 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tightened
Adjective
  • That often happens when the organization is run as a traditional hierarchy of authority, which is inherently inflexible.
    Steve Denning, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025
  • Three-quarters of San Diego’s expenses are inflexible and committed to pension and bond payments, which must be made, and public safety, where politicians and taxpayers usually don’t want significant cuts.
    Mariana Trujillo, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • The space agency has placed firm orders with five of these providers—Astrobotic, Blue Origin, Draper Laboratory, Firefly Aerospace, and Intuitive Machines—for 11 lunar missions.
    Kristin Shaw, Ars Technica, 27 Feb. 2025
  • Strong cash flows helped the firm swing to a net cash position of £475 million from having net debt of £2 billion in 2023.
    Royston Wild, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • The tree was of no great size, apparently being able to derive but a precarious living from its tenuous foothold in the unyielding stone.
    Frank C. Hibben, Outdoor Life, 27 Feb. 2025
  • Looming over everything is the unyielding passage of time, from the quickly dwindling daylight to the players’ creaking knees.
    Lisa Wong Macabasco, Vogue, 13 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Next is Atlético in the capital, a much stiffer assignment than a home match against a team destined for relegation.
    Henry Flynn, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025
  • The masterplan for ‘MasterChef’s return Though war rages, and Ukrainian troops continue to offer stiff resistance Russia and its North Korean army allies, some restrictions on civilians are being relaxed.
    Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 24 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Instead, the director’s latest delivers a taut, empathetic drama that captures the stressful realities nurses face.
    Callum McLennan, Variety, 17 Feb. 2025
  • When what was once taut becomes looser, thinner, and a bit wrinkled, the best crepey-skin treatments will give your skin a smoother, tighter appearance (with consistent use as directed by the brand, of course).
    Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 8 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Instead of adhering to rigid schedules or micromanaging tasks, leaders in a ROWE trust their teams to accomplish objectives in the most efficient way possible.
    Cheryl Robinson, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2025
  • It’s made from a comfortable wool blend that’s not scratchy or rigid, while the sash at the waist and the notched lapels ensure an easy way to dress up even your simplest airport outfits.
    Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 21 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • The Brits handed their prize to Conclave, which feels like the favorite here, too, since the pacing of its papal politicking is as tight as a drum.
    Nate Jones, Vulture, 27 Feb. 2025
  • As a result of the super cycle, MRO facility capacity — already under pressure, particularly for engines — will remain tight, with long queues and increased turnaround times for aircraft and components.
    Oliver Wyman, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tightened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tightened. Accessed 6 Mar. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on tightened

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!