TIGHTEN Synonyms: 14 Similar and Opposite Words

tighten

verb

ˈtī-tᵊn

Definition of tighten

as in to tense

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

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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 tighten Commissioning budgets have tightened, development cycles have lengthened and the opportunities for growing indies to scale have become increasingly limited. — K.j. Yossman, Variety, 2 July 2026 Brockton is tightening security for the next Cape Verde World Cup game after violent celebrations in the Massachusetts city during the opening games of the tournament. — Matt Schooley, CBS News, 2 July 2026 The push for community solar in Boise comes amid growing restrictions on renewable energy across Ada County, where commissioners voted last year to dramatically tighten rules on where large-scale solar panel arrays can be built. — Matan Josephy, Idaho Statesman, 3 July 2026 Alysa Guffey After intense pushback to the first draft of the zoning ordinance, the city's Department of Metropolitan, the city agency charged with regulating land use and zoning in the city limits, tweaked the proposal to tighten some regulations. — Alysa Guffey, IndyStar, 2 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for tighten

Recent Examples of Synonyms for tighten

Verb

Ewing has recognized his shoulders tensing and his upper body going stiff.

— Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 21 June 2026
Be a good child, do what they’re told, be the best child, a tremble in their hands, say nothing, tensed for the knock on the door.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 June 2026

Definition of tense

Verb

Autumn is when the crowds thin and your dollar stretches further.

— Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
Dozens of people sat in lawn chairs in front of the big screen, cheering as the Bosnia and Herzegovina national anthem played, while others stood in a long line that stretched out of the front door to buy cakes, pastries and pitas.

— Jenna Ebbers, Kansas City Star, 2 July 2026

Definition of stretch

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tight

tighten

tightened

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“Tighten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tighten. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of tighten

verb

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