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
While some countries are opening new, easier pathways to citizenship or long-term residency options, others are tightening their requirements in ways that are slamming the door on millions of Americans hoping to settle there or get a second passport.
—
Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
The backdrop has prompted some investors to question whether the Fed might be forced back into tightening mode despite signs of slowing growth.
—Yun Li, CNBC, 30 Mar. 2026
And, if history is a guide, Americans will continue to give to charitable food programs (if not other causes) even when inflation is running at 4%, as is expected for 2026, and the labor market is tightening.
—Andre Mouchard, Oc Register, 29 Mar. 2026
Together, these trends point to a tightening labor pool that threatens economic growth, global competitiveness, and fiscal stability for decades ahead.
—Gregory Haile, Fortune, 29 Mar. 2026
Yet certain types of speech can still trigger criminal charges, and Morocco has seen tightening restrictions on dissent, including against journalists and activists.
—ABC News, 28 Mar. 2026
Yet certain types of speech can trigger criminal charges, and Morocco has seen tightening restrictions on dissent, including against journalists and activists.
—Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2026
Cardi stands on the edge of the room as the women straddle chairs backward, tightening their core muscles and wrapping their ankles around the back in order to control their slow descent to the ground.
—Jazmine Hughes, Allure, 24 Mar. 2026
Kalshi on Monday also announced that the company is enhancing its ability to detect insider trading and tightening its policies against market manipulation.
—Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 23 Mar. 2026
Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
The backdrop has prompted some investors to question whether the Fed might be forced back into tightening mode despite signs of slowing growth.
—Yun Li, CNBC, 30 Mar. 2026
And, if history is a guide, Americans will continue to give to charitable food programs (if not other causes) even when inflation is running at 4%, as is expected for 2026, and the labor market is tightening.
—Andre Mouchard, Oc Register, 29 Mar. 2026
Together, these trends point to a tightening labor pool that threatens economic growth, global competitiveness, and fiscal stability for decades ahead.
—Gregory Haile, Fortune, 29 Mar. 2026
Yet certain types of speech can still trigger criminal charges, and Morocco has seen tightening restrictions on dissent, including against journalists and activists.
—ABC News, 28 Mar. 2026
Yet certain types of speech can trigger criminal charges, and Morocco has seen tightening restrictions on dissent, including against journalists and activists.
—Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2026
Cardi stands on the edge of the room as the women straddle chairs backward, tightening their core muscles and wrapping their ankles around the back in order to control their slow descent to the ground.
—Jazmine Hughes, Allure, 24 Mar. 2026
Kalshi on Monday also announced that the company is enhancing its ability to detect insider trading and tightening its policies against market manipulation.
—Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 23 Mar. 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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Trolley lines move across the city, stretching as far West as the Darby Transit Center and back East toward 13th street.—
Kaitlyn McCormick,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
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At Fourth and Bainbridge streets in the Queen Village neighborhood, drivers are slowing, stopping and swerving to avoid two large potholes stretching across the roadway.—
Ross DiMattei,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tightening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tightening. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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