tighten

verb

tight·​en ˈtī-tᵊn How to pronounce tighten (audio)
tightened; tightening ˈtīt-niŋ How to pronounce tighten (audio)
ˈtī-tᵊn-iŋ
Synonyms of tightennext

transitive verb

: to make tight or tighter

intransitive verb

: to become tight or tighter
tightener
ˈtīt-nər, 
ˈtī-tᵊn-ər How to pronounce tighten (audio)
noun
see also:
tighten one's belt

Synonyms of tighten

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Examples of tighten in a Sentence

She tightened her hold on the handle. tighten the straps on the backpack so that the load doesn't shift while hiking
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
In plain terms, your brain uses that chemical messenger to tell facial muscles to tighten, and botulinum toxin products briefly interrupt the signal in the small area that’s injected. — Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 26 Oct. 2026 Nakase tightened her rotation to seven players, bringing Kayla Thornton and Cecilia Zandalasini providing a spark off the bench. — Connor Dullinger, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026 An organization with diversified funding has more choices when credit conditions tighten. — Erik Clarke, Forbes.com, 26 Oct. 2026 Nakase tightened her rotation to just seven playing significant minutes Saturday. — ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for tighten

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1727, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of tighten was circa 1727

Phrases Containing tighten

Rhymes for tighten

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Browse Nearby Words

tight-cut
tighten
tight end
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Cite this Entry

“Tighten.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tighten. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

tighten

verb
tight·​en ˈtīt-ᵊn How to pronounce tighten (audio)
tightened; tightening ˈtīt-niŋ How to pronounce tighten (audio)
-ᵊn-iŋ
: to make or become tight or tighter
tightener
-nər How to pronounce tighten (audio)
-ᵊn-ər
noun
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