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

Since the Legislature tightened those rent regulation laws in 2019, the values of affected apartment buildings have crashed – an obvious unconstitutional taking although the Supreme Court has repeatedly dodged the issue. —Joshua Stein, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024

Barkley said the Commanders brought more defenders near the box, tightening their approach against an offense without its dual-threat option. —Brooks Kubena, The Athletic, 22 Dec. 2024

The game tightened in the second, the Kings taking the lead before the Lakers’ best players took control. —Dan Woike, Los Angeles Times, 20 Dec. 2024

New Fuel Standards: Regulators have tightened carbon standards in an attempt to further cut emissions from fuels in California’s transportation system. —Michael Forsythe, New York Times, 20 Dec. 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