tighten

verb

tight·​en ˈtī-tᵊn How to pronounce tighten (audio)
tightened; tightening ˈtīt-niŋ How to pronounce tighten (audio)
ˈtī-tᵊn-iŋ

intransitive verb

: to become tight or tighter
tightener
ˈtīt-nər
ˈtī-tᵊn-ər How to pronounce tighten (audio)
noun
Phrases
tighten one's belt
: to practice strict economy

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
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.
Some analysts say consumers, tightening their purse strings because of inflation and tariffs, have been cutting back spending on smartphones. Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 19 Sep. 2025 For me, noir is the horror fiction of the crime genre, in which the main characters constantly make things worse for themselves in a claustrophobic, ever-tightening spiral of doom. Erik Pedersen, Oc Register, 19 Sep. 2025 In July, weeks after CNBC shared its reporting with Walmart, the company tightened vetting for some third-party sellers who list health and beauty products on its marketplace, according to emails sent to sellers that were reviewed by CNBC. Gabrielle Fonrouge,paige Tortorelli, CNBC, 19 Sep. 2025 Supply will likely tighten further down the road, unless demand conditions improve and permit activity stabilizes. Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for tighten

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1727, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of tighten was circa 1727

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tighten.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tighten. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

tighten

verb
tight·​en ˈtīt-ᵊn How to pronounce tighten (audio)
tightened; tightening ˈtīt-niŋ How to pronounce tighten (audio)
-ᵊn-iŋ
: to make or become tight or tighter
tightener
-nər How to pronounce tighten (audio)
-ᵊn-ər
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on tighten

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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