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

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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 tighten In 2019, summer camps in New York tightened their vaccination requirements amid record outbreaks in the state among underimmunized communities. Faris Tanyos, CBS News, 13 June 2025 The Thunder’s 111-104 win tightens the NBA Finals into a best-of-three series in which Oklahoma City has home-court advantage. Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 13 June 2025 But Nvidia is grappling with Washington's tightening restrictions. Dylan Butts, CNBC, 12 June 2025 Peeing is the time for relaxing your pelvic floor muscles, not tightening by doing Kegels. Sara Reardon, Flow Space, 10 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for tighten
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tighten
Verb
  • Chronic impacts of emotional abuse can include anxiety, depression, insomnia, binge drinking or substance abuse and muscle tension from flinching or tensing up, Patel says.
    Hannah Yasharoff, USA Today, 16 May 2025
  • Losing one-goal leads had threatened to become a theme against Dallas, but a fast start saw the Stars begin to tense up, instead of the other way ’round.
    Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 26 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • In short, four prominent celestial objects — the moon, a bright planet and two bright stars — stretched out across a little more than a dozen degrees of the west-northwest sky.
    Joe Rao, Space.com, 24 June 2025
  • Focused on beginner-friendly culinary techniques, Max teaches readers how to make infused butter, oil and milk, and how to stretch flower effectively.
    Javier Hasse, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Tighten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tighten. Accessed 28 Jun. 2025.

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