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Recent Examples of tightens
Global oil prices have surged as Iran tightens its grip on the Strait of Hormuz and attacks regional energy infrastructure, pushing Brent crude to around $107 a barrel, more than 45 percent higher than before the war began.
—
Sam Stevenson, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
Elevated cortisol further disrupts the hormones already in flux, and the cycle tightens over time.
—Allison Palmer, Kansas City Star, 1 Apr. 2026
Mojtaba remains in hiding, fueling speculation about his physical condition and decision-making ability as the IRGC tightens its grip on the country.
—Leila Gharagozlou, CNN Money, 29 Mar. 2026
Malaysia restricts young teens, tightens digital rules Since January 2025, major social media and messaging platforms with at least 8 million users in Malaysia are required to obtain a license as part of a broader tightening of state oversight over digital platforms.
—Barbara Ortutay, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026
The same crisis that proves the value of renewable energy investment also raises inflation, tightens credit and strains the very public finances these countries need to keep building.
—Ezgi Canpolat, The Conversation, 27 Mar. 2026
Your jaw tightens, your heart races, your breathing shortens.
—Jenna Ryu, SELF, 25 Mar. 2026
Just days after the I‑Team's February report, the federal government imposed a six‑month nationwide moratorium blocking Medicare enrollments for most new medical supply companies — a freeze intended to prevent high‑risk suppliers from entering the system as oversight tightens.
—Brian New, CBS News, 18 Mar. 2026
The ingredient, a vasoconstrictor, tightens blood vessels beneath the eyes—in turn, deflating puffiness and tightening skin’s appearance.
—Sophie Wirt, InStyle, 14 Mar. 2026
Sam Stevenson, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
Elevated cortisol further disrupts the hormones already in flux, and the cycle tightens over time.
—Allison Palmer, Kansas City Star, 1 Apr. 2026
Mojtaba remains in hiding, fueling speculation about his physical condition and decision-making ability as the IRGC tightens its grip on the country.
—Leila Gharagozlou, CNN Money, 29 Mar. 2026
Malaysia restricts young teens, tightens digital rules Since January 2025, major social media and messaging platforms with at least 8 million users in Malaysia are required to obtain a license as part of a broader tightening of state oversight over digital platforms.
—Barbara Ortutay, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026
The same crisis that proves the value of renewable energy investment also raises inflation, tightens credit and strains the very public finances these countries need to keep building.
—Ezgi Canpolat, The Conversation, 27 Mar. 2026
Your jaw tightens, your heart races, your breathing shortens.
—Jenna Ryu, SELF, 25 Mar. 2026
Just days after the I‑Team's February report, the federal government imposed a six‑month nationwide moratorium blocking Medicare enrollments for most new medical supply companies — a freeze intended to prevent high‑risk suppliers from entering the system as oversight tightens.
—Brian New, CBS News, 18 Mar. 2026
The ingredient, a vasoconstrictor, tightens blood vessels beneath the eyes—in turn, deflating puffiness and tightening skin’s appearance.
—Sophie Wirt, InStyle, 14 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tightens
Verb
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Breezily elegant in execution and at times even Hitchcockian, The Girlfriend is a delicious thriller that tenses up with each new scene and revelation.—
Declan Gallagher,
Entertainment Weekly,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Another is expected to take shape in Councilmember Rick Jennings’ district, which stretches from Land Park to the Pocket.—
Ishani Desai,
Sacbee.com,
1 Apr. 2026
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Graves’ exit has sparked intense speculation about his potential successor to represent Missouri’s 6th Congressional District, which stretches across northern Missouri and touches Kansas City’s Northland.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tightens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tightens. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.
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