as in tensing
to draw tight
tighten the straps on the backpack so that the load doesn't shift while hiking
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of tightening
Other possible measures include curbing features such as infinite scrolling, tightening safeguards around the sharing of nude images, and examining restrictions on children’s access to AI chatbots and virtual private networks.
—
Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 16 Feb. 2026
Power plants running on natural gas have been forced to switch to oil with tightening natural gas supplies, further fueling the growing demand for heating oil, Herb said.
—Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 15 Feb. 2026
Democrats have demanded reforms to immigration enforcement practices, including tightening warrant requirements, prohibiting masks for federal immigration officers and ending roving patrols, with pushback from Republicans.
—Tara Suter, The Hill, 15 Feb. 2026
Facialist and skin care innovator Georgia Louise likens cryo facials to other tightening treatments like soft wave.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 14 Feb. 2026
Besides tightening its processes and setting up a traceability certificate system, Armedangels also used the profits from the collection to invest in digital monitoring solutions based on secure blockchain technology.
—Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 13 Feb. 2026
This also increases their acceleration, driving more gravitational-wave emission (and causing ever tightening orbits) in a positive-feedback loop.
—Phil Plait, Scientific American, 13 Feb. 2026
That means tightening timelines for support, providing consistent funding and contracting, and ensuring a more responsive partner in government.
—Kimberly Olsen, New York Daily News, 10 Feb. 2026
The pore-tightening benefits come from vitamin B5, which soothes skin and improves barrier function.
—Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 9 Feb. 2026
Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 16 Feb. 2026
Power plants running on natural gas have been forced to switch to oil with tightening natural gas supplies, further fueling the growing demand for heating oil, Herb said.
—Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 15 Feb. 2026
Democrats have demanded reforms to immigration enforcement practices, including tightening warrant requirements, prohibiting masks for federal immigration officers and ending roving patrols, with pushback from Republicans.
—Tara Suter, The Hill, 15 Feb. 2026
Facialist and skin care innovator Georgia Louise likens cryo facials to other tightening treatments like soft wave.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 14 Feb. 2026
Besides tightening its processes and setting up a traceability certificate system, Armedangels also used the profits from the collection to invest in digital monitoring solutions based on secure blockchain technology.
—Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 13 Feb. 2026
This also increases their acceleration, driving more gravitational-wave emission (and causing ever tightening orbits) in a positive-feedback loop.
—Phil Plait, Scientific American, 13 Feb. 2026
That means tightening timelines for support, providing consistent funding and contracting, and ensuring a more responsive partner in government.
—Kimberly Olsen, New York Daily News, 10 Feb. 2026
The pore-tightening benefits come from vitamin B5, which soothes skin and improves barrier function.
—Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 9 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tightening
Verb
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Limited rib mobility interferes with the ability to breathe deeply, triggering your body’s stress response, which increases muscle tensing as a guarding mechanism.—
Dana Santas,
CNN Money,
15 Feb. 2026
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Keeping in the same position for a long period of time, especially if cramped or uncomfortable, can also lead to muscles tensing up and feeling tight.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
26 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Leveleve Balcony Furniture 5-Piece Patio Conversation Set For truly stretching out and relaxing, this five-piece set includes two chairs with extendable footrests for reclining—then the footrest tuck neatly underneath the chairs when not in use.—
Melanie Fincher,
Better Homes & Gardens,
19 Feb. 2026
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The site-specific Parcours section, stretching along Basel’s Clarastrasse, will be organized for the third year in a row by Stefanie Hessler, director of the Swiss Institute, New York, and will take as its theme the concept of conviviality.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
19 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tightening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tightening. Accessed 24 Feb. 2026.
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