TIGHTENED Synonyms: 42 Similar and Opposite Words

tightened 1 of 2

adjective

as in inflexible

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Dissimilar Words

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

Both markets have tightened rules that had allowed low-value imports to enter duty-free. — Jenny Lee, CNBC, 4 Sep. 2026 Earlier this year, the government also tightened rules for foreign business owners, raising the capital requirement of a business manager visa popular among entrepreneurs from five million yen ($31,000) to 30 million ($126,000). — Christine Miyawaki, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2026 Over the years, and with greater intensity during the Smotrich era with Netanyahu’s approval, the settlers have tightened their grip on the military administration of the territories. — Amos Harel, Foreign Affairs, 2 Sep. 2026 But over the last month, the battle between Bass and Raman for union support has tightened somewhat. — Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026 China accelerated its domestic chipmaking efforts after Washington tightened restrictions on Huawei Technologies in 2020, cutting the company off from TSMC. — Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026 The office has also tightened safeguards for internal access. — Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Aug. 2026 The naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz remains in place, secondary sanctions are being tightened, and pressure is being increased on countries and financial networks that have allowed Tehran to circumvent previous restrictions. — Hamidreza Azizi, Time, 29 Aug. 2026 In an effort to limit those sight lines, this season MLB tightened a longstanding rule governing where first- and third-base coaches are permitted to stand on the field. — Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for tightened

Adjective

Many ex-addicts turn to religion, exchanging one inflexible code for another; John’s own post-heroin spiritual exercises were omnivorous.

— Ian Penman, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026
Warsh believes forward guidance made the Fed inflexible and obscured signals from the markets.

— Matt Peterson, CNBC, 30 July 2026

Definition of inflexible

Verb

The women tensed when the deputy warden of the Rostov jail, a curt, imperious man with a heavy-footed gait, walked in.

— Joshua Yaffa, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026
As that handover proceeds, the excitatory signal that keeps your muscles faintly tensed all day begins to withdraw, and muscle tone drops toward the near-paralysis of deep sleep.

— Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026

Definition of tensed

Adjective

And people want to draw firm conclusions on Underwood’s ability to perform the most difficult, important, rewarding, scrutinized job in American sports.

— Joe Rexrode, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
Hypoallergenic Clean Correction Firming Eye Cream is a deeply nourishing, gentle yet effective eye cream formulated to visibly firm, brighten and reduce crow's feet, lines and wrinkles.

— ABC News, ABC News, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of firm

Verb

While the main festival was in Grant Park, entry locations for riders stretched all the way to the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry on the South Side.

— Finnegan Belleau, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2026
But as hours stretched into days with no word from them, his hope turned to sorrow.

— Faith Karimi, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of stretched

Adjective

But the unyielding free market advocate likely became just as well known for his opposition to Proposition 103, the landmark 1988 insurance initiative that regulated the industry following a period of skyrocketing auto premiums.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026
Just the unyielding betrayals of the flesh and the numbing sense that none of this had to happen.

— Jeff Weiss, HollywoodReporter, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of unyielding

Adjective

George, who is second in line to the British throne, arrived in a jacket, shirt and tie and dark trousers but soon changed into the school’s uniform of a black tailcoat, waistcoat and pinstriped trousers, with a stiff white collar.

— Lauren Said-Moorhouse, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2026
The winger and Nigerian international will face stiff competition once Kaoru Mitoma and Yankuba Minteh return from their respective hamstring and ankle injuries.

— Andy Naylor, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of stiff

Adjective

Away from Ali, Maro’s playful energy has a taut intensity, while Dalia, donning a sparkly outfit, lets off steam on club dance floors and in casual hookups.

— Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 4 Sep. 2026
Filmmaker Rubaiyat Hossain crafts a taut supernatural drama that dissects the patriarchy hiding beneath the veneer of a fairytale wedding.

— Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of taut

Adjective

There has been a widespread opinion that football has become too rigid and regimented in recent seasons, but Luis Enrique’s PSG are one of the few antidotes to that.

— Art de Roché, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
Unlike its competitors, Hermès is a pre-haute-couture enterprise, founded before the rigid bureaucracy of French fashion was put into place, in the eighteen-sixties, with the establishment of a governing syndicate.

— Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of rigid

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tighten

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“Tightened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tightened. Accessed 12 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of tightened

adjective

verb

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