tightened 1 of 2

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

tightened

2 of 2

adjective

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
Adjective
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
  • The traditional client-vendor dynamic, defined by retainers, inflexible scopes and long approval cycles, no longer matches the speed or complexity of today’s business environment.
    Humphrey Ho, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025
  • Inevitably there will be the school that has strict rules about what students can wear on campus—rules that might feel inflexible and restricting to a kid whose identity is still developing.
    Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 29 July 2025
Adjective
  • In terms of comfort, this bed is second to none for those seeking a firm yet plush feel.
    Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 14 Aug. 2025
  • These tumors are firm, white, and moist on the surface, Aguirre says, and generally persist for up to 150 days—and then disappear.
    Angela Haupt, Time, 14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • There are umbrellas at Queen’s Club, too, but only to shelter from the unyielding, scorching heat.
    Tim Spiers, New York Times, 20 June 2025
  • Looming over everything is the unyielding passage of time, from the quickly dwindling daylight to the players’ creaking knees.
    Taylor Antrim, Vogue, 21 July 2025
Adjective
  • Getting into the team will remain a stiff challenge, more so if and when Jacob Ramsey arrives from Aston Villa, albeit there will be four fronts to fight on this season and therefore more games.
    George Caulkin, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2025
  • And with everything from the AC blasting to stiff seating, a theater doesn’t always offer an inviting ambience.
    Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • His hair is bound in a taut knot, a cape of ti leaves in muted green draped over his broad shoulders.
    JP Mangalindan, Time, 1 Aug. 2025
  • The finish is long, focused, and chalky with lingering notes of crisp fruit and a taut minerality.
    Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 26 July 2025
Adjective
  • The Hopkins clinic fit squarely into the desire of these movements to offer Americans alternatives to the rigid gender roles and compulsory heterosexuality of the Cold War era.
    Time, Time, 7 Aug. 2025
  • Different from a program of record, which reflects a rigid requirement and often a single vendor, a capability of record signals the need for ongoing capability, such as for small drones.
    Michael Brown, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • When culture starts performing alignment instead of living it, most companies reach for fixes: tighter messaging, new values, more playbooks.
    Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025
  • The overall fit is on the tighter side up top, but roomy enough for walking on the bottom.
    Chaunie Brusie, Parents, 14 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Tightened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tightened. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.

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