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Recent Examples of tightened
Allison Palmer
updated February 23, Kansas City Star, 23 Feb. 2026
The Samsonite Pralux Carry-on’s large top compartment features two compression straps, which can be tightened over the removable compression panel to maximize packing space.
—Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 22 Feb. 2026
As the job market has tightened, many Gen Z college graduates have struggled to find stable footing—raising new questions about whether a degree is still worth the time and debt burden.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 22 Feb. 2026
To their credit, both BAFTA and the Academy have tightened the qualification rules.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 20 Feb. 2026
Pham said the Louvre tightened how many times a ticket can be validated at its multiple checkpoints.
—Thomas Adamson, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2026
And while last year’s budget bill tightened eligibility checks, the goal should’ve been stopping bad behavior, not penalizing consumers.
—Bloomberg Opinion, Twin Cities, 15 Feb. 2026
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
Revenue in the consumer business posted modest gains of 3%, while segment income rose 6%, even as smartphone subscribers fell by 100,000 in the third quarter after the company tightened its customer-acquisition policy.
—Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 10 Feb. 2026
Verb
Kansas City’s housing market has tightened again to start 2026.
—Allison Palmer
updated February 23, Kansas City Star, 23 Feb. 2026
The Samsonite Pralux Carry-on’s large top compartment features two compression straps, which can be tightened over the removable compression panel to maximize packing space.
—Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 22 Feb. 2026
As the job market has tightened, many Gen Z college graduates have struggled to find stable footing—raising new questions about whether a degree is still worth the time and debt burden.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 22 Feb. 2026
To their credit, both BAFTA and the Academy have tightened the qualification rules.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 20 Feb. 2026
Pham said the Louvre tightened how many times a ticket can be validated at its multiple checkpoints.
—Thomas Adamson, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2026
And while last year’s budget bill tightened eligibility checks, the goal should’ve been stopping bad behavior, not penalizing consumers.
—Bloomberg Opinion, Twin Cities, 15 Feb. 2026
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
Revenue in the consumer business posted modest gains of 3%, while segment income rose 6%, even as smartphone subscribers fell by 100,000 in the third quarter after the company tightened its customer-acquisition policy.
—Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 10 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tightened
Adjective
-
These numbers serve as a measurement for the state of the country and are strongly affected by national crises, economic conditions and the often inflexible division in American politics.—
Janet Loehrke,
USA Today,
14 Feb. 2026
-
The distinctive lifestyle of elite athletes can create a hotbed for eating disorders and disordered eating, meaning restrictive, compulsive, irregular or inflexible eating patterns, all of which can occur on a spectrum.—
Emily Hemendinger,
The Conversation,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Studios in collaboration with Banijay’s DLO Producciones, tracks the rise of the founding leader of Los Miami, a gang which controlled Madrid’s insatiable ‘90s drug business, tensed by sudden explosive violence, and the drug-lord’s multiple near-death experiences.—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
18 Dec. 2025
-
The officer took her to the ground and then tried cuffing Tejeras, who tensed up so much, the officer’s body camera was knocked to the ground, according to the report.—
David Goodhue,
Miami Herald,
26 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
The firm invests in sectors like quantum, space, energy and infrastructure for artificial intelligence.—
Max Scheinblum,
Denver Post,
24 Feb. 2026
-
From their fleshy collision, one man tends to emerge with the advantage of surer footing or a firmer grip on his opponent’s loincloth, known as a mawashi, which wrestlers can use to lift and toss each other around the ring.—
Joshua Hunt,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The findings come as Americans grapple with an affordability crisis that has stretched across a range of basic expenses, including food, electricity, insurance, health care and housing.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
22 Feb. 2026
-
Trump has walked all over Congress but prior presidents of both parties have stretched the bounds of emergency powers.—
Karen Tumulty,
Washington Post,
22 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The breath of air, and the freedom of movement, only reinforce the moral asphyxiation taking place inside—and emphasize the unyielding authority sustaining the city’s public life.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
19 Feb. 2026
-
On other occasions, a parting can be soured by big, unyielding personalities.—
Greg O'Keeffe,
New York Times,
1 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Between stiff, too-tight pairs digging into my waist with every move and finicky zippers and buttons, finding a trusty pair of jeans can feel daunting.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Some suspensions are built for smooth comfort, while others may be a bit stiffer to prioritize handling.—
Keenan Thompson,
USA Today,
21 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Run is a taut thriller that feels like an elevated Lifetime movie in all the right ways.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
21 Feb. 2026
-
The Phillies might not be better than the team that ended last season with a taut four-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.—
Matt Gelb,
New York Times,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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But some critics argue that restricting access is too rigid and, in the case of Glacier National Park, may invite more people on the road during dangerous twilight hours.—
Outside,
Outside,
24 Feb. 2026
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While rigid denim remains a strong category, brands are growing their assortment of stretch velvet and corduroy.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
23 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tightened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tightened. Accessed 28 Feb. 2026.
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