tightened 1 of 2

tightened

2 of 2

verb

past tense of tighten
as in tensed
to draw tight tighten the straps on the backpack so that the load doesn't shift while hiking

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of tightened
Verb
Camp Pendleton has tightened access to the sprawling Marine base in North County in the wake of the New Year’s Day attack in New Orleans that killed 14 people. Gary Robbins, The Mercury News, 6 Jan. 2025 But the Pole tightened when on the front foot in two baseline exchanges, moving forward at the wrong time and letting Fritz move out in front. James Hansen, The Athletic, 5 Jan. 2025 The Biden administration tightened those restrictions in October 2023 and once again in December 2024. Lionel Lim, Fortune Asia, 3 Jan. 2025 State Farm General, Farmers, Allstate and other companies have all declined to write or limited new policies, or tightened their underwriting standards. Andrea Chang, Los Angeles Times, 3 Jan. 2025 The automobile manufacturer said in the NHTSA recall report that the front upper control arm ball joint nut may not be tightened properly. Ahjané Forbes, USA TODAY, 30 Dec. 2024 Department officials have tightened their camera policy, and raised the possibility of using AI to review the countless hours of footage that goes unseen each month. Libor Jany, Los Angeles Times, 28 Dec. 2024 The Commanders tightened their defensive alignment after Hurts exited the game. Brooks Kubena, The Athletic, 27 Dec. 2024 The defense tightened when Walker replaced David Long as the starting inside linebacker in November. Omar Kelly, Orlando Sentinel, 26 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tightened
Adjective
  • Excessive workloads, inflexible hours, and constant connectivity erode mental health, and no amount of lunchtime yoga can make up for that.
    Alexander Puutio, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025
  • Many other barriers slow innovation and competitiveness in Europe much more than regulations do: the continent’s fragmented digital single market, lack of deep and integrated capital markets, restrictive immigration policies, inflexible labor markets, and risk-averse entrepreneurial culture.
    ANU BRADFORD, Foreign Affairs, 21 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • New federal rules mandate firmer construction, safer strap guidelines, and clearer warnings to ensure nursing pillows are used correctly.
    Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Parents, 28 Apr. 2025
  • The dynamic play on the field, though, was only part of the impact Barron made during his transformative final season at Texas, the one that set him on a firm path to the first round.
    Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • My Focus My own mistakes have informed my unyielding focus on family.
    Ken Polk, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Most impactful is the film’s focus on the adult son of Ramirez’s victim, whose anger seems so unyielding.
    Joe Reid, Vulture, 28 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • In contrast, Trump faces stiff opposition in liberal states.
    Mohammed Soliman, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Apr. 2025
  • Despite being high cut and stiff, Jackson’s combination of explosiveness and raw power will keep him in the league for a long time.
    Dane Brugler, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • At the table, Ochoa took the scissors and snipped the clean, beige natural casing, which was taut like a balloon.
    Laurie Ochoa, Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2025
  • To use it, hold the tool downward at a 45-degree angle and pull the skin taut while moving the device downward in short, gentle strokes—and feel free to pick your own speed.
    Jenny Berg, Vogue, 20 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Resilience now comes from adaptive planning, not rigid protocols.
    Toby Wong, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
  • Use 1/4 inch or smaller rigid mesh or wire hardware cloth about 4 feet high.
    Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Tour demands that players lift up their floors — and flaws — in tight moments.
    Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025
  • For smaller companies or those operating with tight budgets, these costs can seem prohibitive, especially when the return on investment (ROI) is uncertain or far beyond the headlights.
    Tim Houlne, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tightened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tightened. Accessed 5 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on tightened

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!