fasten

verb

fas·ten | \ ˈfa-sᵊn

fastened; fastening\ ˈfas-niŋ

, ˈfa-sᵊn-iŋ \

Definition of fasten

transitive verb

1a : to attach especially by pinning, tying, or nailing

b : to make fast and secure

c : to fix firmly or securely

d : to secure against opening

2 : to fix or set steadily fastened her attention on the main problem

3 : to take a firm grip with the dog fastened its teeth in the shoe

4a : to attach (oneself) persistently and usually objectionably

b : to place forcefully : impose fastened the blame on the wrong person

intransitive verb

1 : to become fast or fixed

2a : to take a firm grip or hold

b : to focus attention

Other Words from fasten Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about fasten

Keep scrolling for more

Synonyms & Antonyms for fasten

Synonyms

affix, attach, bend, fix

Antonyms

detach, undo, unfasten, unhook

Choose the Right Synonym for fasten

fasten, fix, attach, affix mean to make something stay firmly in place. fasten implies an action such as tying, buttoning, nailing, locking, or otherwise securing. fasten the reins to a post fix usually implies a driving in, implanting, or embedding. fixed the stake in the ground attach suggests a connecting or uniting by a bond, link, or tie in order to keep things together. attach the W-2 form here affix implies an imposing of one thing on another by gluing, impressing, or nailing. affix your address label here

Examples of fasten in a Sentence

fastening clothes on a clothesline He fastened the dog's leash to a post and went into the store. two boards fastened together by nails a decorative clasp that could be used to fasten a cape or cloak a shoe that fastens with a buckle This dress fastens in the back. She twisted her hair into a bun and fastened it with bobby pins. Make sure the lid is tightly fastened. The lock was so damaged it wouldn't fasten. He fastened his hands on my arm and wouldn't let go.

Recent Examples on the Web

Tossing the, In a matching move, hairstylist Jenda Alcorn tossed the Los Angeles-based beauty's blonde lengths into a wraparound milkmaid braid, then fastened tiny daisies, roses, and white flowers into her plaits. — Jenna Rennert, Vogue, "Elle Fanning Puts a Fresh Spin on the Flower Crown," 15 May 2019 There are still some others that claimed to do things like fasten their bras and then put them on like t-shirts (WUT?!) or even step into their bras and pull them up over their hips like a dress (WHO?!). — Kelsey Stiegman, Seventeen, "Don't Panic, But You've Been Wearing Your Bra Wrong Your Entire Life," 25 Apr. 2019 Like a present-day Brigitte Bardot, French model Leojeanne fastens her preternaturally dirty blonde mane into sultry, slapdash updos, tapping into the inherent romance of soft, collar-bone grazing strands. — Lauren Valenti, Vogue, "Modern Victorian Updos Are Taking Over Instagram—Here’s How to Do Them Right," 13 Mar. 2019 In that sense, the decision to fasten the novel to Shalini’s point of view seems like a missed opportunity. — Sam Sacks, WSJ, "Fiction: Heaven Is Not at All What You Think," 25 Jan. 2019 This wall and the wood beams that keep the house off the ground often have not been fastened tightly to the foundation. — Rong-gong Lin Ii, latimes.com, "On anniversary of great 1906 quake, California still struggles to prepare for the next 'big one'," 18 Apr. 2018 Never fasten swing fittings with a lag screw, which can pull out suddenly and send a kid flying. — Roy Berendsohn, Popular Mechanics, "How to Build a Wooden Swing Set," 30 Jan. 2019 Use hot-dipped galvanized or stainless-steel nails and screws when fastening outdoors. — Roy Berendsohn, Popular Mechanics, "5 Biggest Woodworking Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)," 15 Jan. 2019 Across Norway by Friday, ferry companies have canceled crossings, while authorities have warned hikers of fierce winds in the mountains and called on people to securely fasten their small boats, tents and similar gear. — Fox News, "The Latest: Northern Europe prepares for summer storms," 10 Aug. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'fasten.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.