as in tensing
to draw tight
tighten the straps on the backpack so that the load doesn't shift while hiking
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Recent Examples of tightening
Southwest Airlines is tightening its refund policy for plus-size passengers who purchase an extra seat.
—
Zach Wichter, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025
Texas lawmakers left Austin late Wednesday night without passing a THC ban or tightening restrictions on the booming industry.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Sep. 2025
As younger generations struggle to buy their first homes, boomers are accumulating wealth and tightening their grip on assets that millennials and Gen Z need to get richer.
—Jessica Coacci, Fortune, 3 Sep. 2025
Those who bridge the gap early will gain a competitive advantage in an era marked by rising breach costs and tightening regulations.
—Douglas B. Laney, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Advertisement Some have suggested that the answer lies not in tightening ethics rules but in raising congressional pay.
—Nik Popli, Time, 2 Sep. 2025
Federal and state budgets are tightening, raising taxes is often unpalatable and philanthropies are stretched.
—Debra Gittler, Chicago Tribune, 2 Sep. 2025
The Houthis are investigating possible infiltration within their ranks, carrying out raids and arrests and tightening security across Sanaa, local reports said.
—Amira El-Fekki, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Sep. 2025
Since then, Honey has led at least three organizations devoted to transforming election systems in ways championed by conservatives, such as tightening eligibility requirements for people to be on voter rolls.
—Doug Bock Clark, ProPublica, 26 Aug. 2025
Zach Wichter, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025
Texas lawmakers left Austin late Wednesday night without passing a THC ban or tightening restrictions on the booming industry.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Sep. 2025
As younger generations struggle to buy their first homes, boomers are accumulating wealth and tightening their grip on assets that millennials and Gen Z need to get richer.
—Jessica Coacci, Fortune, 3 Sep. 2025
Those who bridge the gap early will gain a competitive advantage in an era marked by rising breach costs and tightening regulations.
—Douglas B. Laney, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Advertisement Some have suggested that the answer lies not in tightening ethics rules but in raising congressional pay.
—Nik Popli, Time, 2 Sep. 2025
Federal and state budgets are tightening, raising taxes is often unpalatable and philanthropies are stretched.
—Debra Gittler, Chicago Tribune, 2 Sep. 2025
The Houthis are investigating possible infiltration within their ranks, carrying out raids and arrests and tightening security across Sanaa, local reports said.
—Amira El-Fekki, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Sep. 2025
Since then, Honey has led at least three organizations devoted to transforming election systems in ways championed by conservatives, such as tightening eligibility requirements for people to be on voter rolls.
—Doug Bock Clark, ProPublica, 26 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tightening
Verb
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Seemingly immediately, your heart will begin racing and your muscles will start tensing.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
22 Aug. 2025
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Sport mode is where things get serious, tensing the car’s muscles and unleashing the entire prairie of horses.—
Tim Pitt,
Robb Report,
6 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Complimentary activities range from morning stretching with a sea breeze to late-afternoon volleyball in the sand to learning about local culture through a Boduberu drum session.—
Katie Lockhart,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Sep. 2025
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Across eight episodes, Levy explores eight countries—Austria, Canada, England, India, Ireland, Mexico, South Korea and the United States—touching down in dreamy, horizon-stretching destinations that broaden his perspective, as well as his viewers’ outlook.—
Laura Manske,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tightening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tightening. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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