NARROWING Synonyms: 30 Similar and Opposite Words

narrowing

verb

present participle of narrow

as in tightening

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Recent Examples of Synonyms for narrowing

Verb

In this perspective, restricting ballot delivery to names on new federal voter lists, and tightening Postal Service handling of ballots, is framed as a necessary safeguard against systemic abuse of mail voting.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026
As Russia’s war in Ukraine becomes increasingly costly with no end in sight, the Kremlin has kept tightening its grip over Russian society.

— Andrei Soldatov, Foreign Affairs, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of tightening

Verb

That strategy, designed to feed riders to trains and buses while lessening dependency on cars, led to the creation of Downtown Dadeland and clusters of towers and shops now rising around transit stations.

— Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 20 Aug. 2026
His approach sought to use technology to compensate for those shortages, lessening the burden of mobilization, which remains a sore point for Ukrainian society.

— David Kirichenko, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of lessening

Verb

The Supreme Court has been a fitful friend to Trump in his second term, alternately enabling and impeding him.

— Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
Cornstarch can create issues like clogging sprayers, impeding root growth, or interfering with leaf function.

— Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of impeding

Verb

Lifestyle changes like quitting smoking, limiting alcohol, getting plenty of sleep and eating a protein-rich diet will also keep your skin healthy.

— Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 1 Sep. 2026
Limiting offenses without also limiting defenses might allow the United States, in a crisis, to attempt a surprise attack on Russia or China and then rely on its powerful defenses to neutralize any surviving forces.

— Jeffrey Lewis, Foreign Affairs, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of limiting

Verb

More than 1,300 people are missing, and a lack of connectivity, power and resources are hindering rescue efforts.

— CNN Money, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026
The charges are hindering proceedings by disorderly conduct, a Class A misdemeanor, and disrupting a meeting or procession, a Class B misdemeanor.

— Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of hindering

Verb

Birds visiting the feeder can get the goo on their wings, hampering their ability to fly and possibly leading to their untimely deaths.

— Joan Morris, Mercury News, 17 Aug. 2026
Rescuers will use an extrication device and a helicopter, Fathur said, adding that there were no reports of people missing and no challenges hampering the search.

— Reuters, NBC news, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of hampering

Verb

Compared to other changes—like restricting minor use to two hours per day and giving them the option to have a non-personalized feed—what, exactly, the limits on beauty filters will look like is still a bit fuzzy.

— Elizabeth Gulino, Allure, 2 Sep. 2026
The idea of restricting defenses against nuclear attack has long been a third rail in American politics, especially among Republicans.

— Jeffrey Lewis, Foreign Affairs, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of restricting

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“Narrowing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/narrowing. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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