tighten

verb

tight·​en ˈtī-tᵊn 

tightened; tightening ˈtīt-niŋ 

ˈtī-tᵊn-iŋ

transitive verb

: to make tight or tighter

intransitive verb

: to become tight or tighter

tightener

ˈtīt-nər, 

ˈtī-tᵊn-ər 

noun

see also tighten one's belt

Synonyms of tighten

• tense
• stretch

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

Since then, Cornyn’s TV blitz has defined Paxton as a diminished candidate dogged by ethics questions, a move that has tightened the contest in pre-primary polls. —Joseph Morton, Dallas Morning News, 11 Feb. 2026

For ReSee, The Circle is less about subscription revenue than about strengthening ties in a tightening luxury environment. —Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 11 Feb. 2026

Boatwright’s observations lend more evidence to a bifurcated economy, where the rich are getting richer and continuing to spend, while the poor tighten their belts and continue to pull back. —Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 10 Feb. 2026

That means tightening timelines for support, providing consistent funding and contracting, and ensuring a more responsive partner in government. —Kimberly Olsen, New York Daily News, 10 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1727, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Phrases Containing tighten

• tighten/put the thumbscrews on
• tighten the noose
• tighten the purse strings
• tighten the screws
• tighten up

Rhymes for tighten

• brighten
• chitin
• frighten
• heighten
• lighten
• phaeton
• titan
• triton
• whiten
• enlighten
• exciton
• periphyton

Kids Definition

tighten

verb

tight·​en ˈtīt-ᵊn 

tightened; tightening ˈtīt-niŋ 

-ᵊn-iŋ

: to make or become tight or tighter

tightener

-nər 

-ᵊn-ər

noun