Synonyms of tightening

tightening

verb

present participle of tighten

as in tensing

to draw tight

tighten the straps on the backpack so that the load doesn't shift while hiking

Synonyms & Similar Words

• tensing
• stretching
• tautening
• straining
• lengthening
• elongating
• extending
• constricting
• cinching

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• loosening
• relaxing
• easing
• slackening
• slacking

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of tightening

With October polls showing a tightening contest in both races, these undecided Black voters could play a pivotal role in determining the election results. — Miami Herald, 9 Oct. 2026

Police and protesters clashed in Brussels on Friday as tens of thousands of people rallied separately in the Belgian capital against rising living costs and budget-tightening measures introduced by the government. — Mark Carlson, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026

Thousands of demonstrators poured into the streets of Brussels on Friday, at times clashing with police officers, to protest the Belgian government's budget-tightening measures and the overall rise in the cost of living. — James Cirrone, FOXNews.com, 9 Oct. 2026

For now, Dalio said the tightening process is only beginning, with earnings growth still providing support for stocks even as credit conditions start to weaken. — Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026

Farmers are also navigating rising input costs, water scarcity, tightening margins, labor constraints, and growing expectations around traceability and compliance. — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 7 Oct. 2026

Similarly, cyber insurance requirements are also tightening in reaction to a worsening threat landscape. — David Bennett, Forbes.com, 6 Oct. 2026

The second category has to do with tightening control over how the city spends tax dollars, with stricter rules for the city's purchasing cards and reimbursements along with a public dashboard breaking down this spending by department. — Lauren Linder, CBS News, 6 Oct. 2026

The song stays coiled, neither tightening its grip nor exploding into noise. — Sadie Sartini Garner, Pitchfork, 4 Oct. 2026