tighten

verb

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

transitive verb

: to make tight or tighter

intransitive verb

: to become tight or tighter
tightener
ˈtīt-nər, 
ˈtī-tᵊn-ər How to pronounce tighten (audio)
noun
see also:
tighten one's belt

Synonyms of tighten

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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.
The overhaul would also tighten restrictions on community development grants and donations by requiring those funds be tied to a specific project. — Arkansas Online, 13 Oct. 2026 Earlier this month, the Reserve Bank of India raised its interest rates for the first time since 2023, joining several major central banks in tightening monetary policy in a bid to arrest accelerating inflation. — Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 12 Oct. 2026 In 2019, Kennedy returned to Sacramento to oppose another bill Pan authored, this one tightening the rules for vaccination exemptions. — Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2026 Governments across Europe of every political stripe are tightening integration rules. — Tyler Speicher, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2026 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

Phrases Containing tighten

Rhymes for tighten

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Browse Nearby Words

tight-cut
tighten
tight end
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Cite this Entry

“Tighten.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tighten. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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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
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