tightens

present tense third-person singular of tighten
as in tenses
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 tightens The bill tightens those requirements, requiring proof of work or education in most instances, tightens eligibility requirements and reduces federal spending. David Lightman, Sacbee.com, 15 Oct. 2025 Alzheimer’s disease drugs Caffeine constricts blood vessels and tightens the blood-brain barrier, potentially limiting how much Alzheimer’s medication reaches the brain and reducing its therapeutic benefit. Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 5 Oct. 2025 The election result locks in another chapter of progressive representation in Congress for southern Arizona, and tightens Republicans’ majority on Capitol Hill. Laura Gersony, AZCentral.com, 25 Sep. 2025 Veling also thinks once the inventory tightens, prices will either stabilize or begin another run up, depending on the supply-and-demand dynamics for each local market. Jeff Lazerson, Oc Register, 18 Sep. 2025 The warning comes as Washington also tightens restrictions on Chinese vehicles. Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 11 Sep. 2025 The unimaginable blow only tightens Laura’s grasp on her son Daniel (Laurie Davidson). Erin Jensen, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025 Anticipation tightens my stomach and then spreads like wildfire through me. Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025 The Persons and Family Code law, making Burkina Faso the latest in a series of African countries to criminalize lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender activity, also tightens rules on nationality and stateless people. CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tightens
stretches
Verb
  • The cups are made using a special Flexicup fabric that stretches with you, and one-of-a-kind Floataway Wire is wrapped in airflow mesh that stays put with zero digging.
    Ali Faccenda, PEOPLE, 17 Oct. 2025
  • That will be tested further than ever this season as their European journey stretches their squad.
    Tamerra Griffin, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Tightens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tightens. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.

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