tight·en·er
-t(ᵊ)nə(r) 
plural -s
: one that tightens
often
: an idle pulley or a sprocket wheel pressed against a belt, band, rope, or chain to tighten it
called also tightening pulley
Examples of tighten in a Sentence
Verb
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
Paul Boger, NPR, 10 June 2026
Rights groups say Bedouin herding communities are especially vulnerable as settlers seize remote land and outposts multiply, while new Israeli laws tighten control over Palestinians and critics fault global powers for inaction.
—Julia Frankel, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2026
As Hodgson, who only launched Pale Horse Gallery last year, attested, soaring business rates, rent, and energy bills are serious obstacles—not to mention collectors tightening their purse strings on account of geopolitical and economic uncertainty.
—George Nelson, ARTnews.com, 10 June 2026
With the Middle East conflict unresolved, Hormuz disruption still weighing on supply visibility, and inventories tightening, the energy sector should retain a geopolitical floor.
—Tony Zhang, CNBC, 10 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for tighten
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.
Verb
Among his top accomplishments are a bipartisan bill that looked to hold school districts more accountable, tightening criminal justice reforms enacted after George Floyd's killing in 2020, and efforts to make housing more attainable.
—Paul Boger, NPR, 10 June 2026
Rights groups say Bedouin herding communities are especially vulnerable as settlers seize remote land and outposts multiply, while new Israeli laws tighten control over Palestinians and critics fault global powers for inaction.
—Julia Frankel, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2026
As Hodgson, who only launched Pale Horse Gallery last year, attested, soaring business rates, rent, and energy bills are serious obstacles—not to mention collectors tightening their purse strings on account of geopolitical and economic uncertainty.
—George Nelson, ARTnews.com, 10 June 2026
With the Middle East conflict unresolved, Hormuz disruption still weighing on supply visibility, and inventories tightening, the energy sector should retain a geopolitical floor.
—Tony Zhang, CNBC, 10 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for tighten
Cite this Entry
“Tighten.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tighten. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
