TIGHTENED Synonyms: 42 Similar and Opposite Words

tightened 1 of 2

adjective

as in inflexible

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Dissimilar Words

tightened

2 of 2

verb

past tense of tighten

as in tensed

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 tightened

Verb

Plus, the straps can be tightened or loosened to your liking. — Emily Weaver, PEOPLE, 1 July 2026 Where Jović tightened as the match went on, after the energy of claiming an up-and-down first set, Pegula relaxed and trusted her game. — Ava Wallace, New York Times, 5 July 2026 In 2024, the legislature tightened the state’s lemon law, requiring additional steps before a driver could sue. — Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2026 Interest rates rose, supply chains tightened, equipment costs increased, and project economics deteriorated. — Robert Rapier, Forbes.com, 21 June 2026 Among other changes, the deal tightened rules for the auto industry, requiring that 75% of each vehicle be produced in North America to avoid any import duties. — Aaron Navarro, CBS News, 1 July 2026 The administration tightened the programs' restrictions and slowed processing rates, which advocacy groups say will hurt legitimate victims. — ABC News, 29 June 2026 The administration tightened the programs’ restrictions and slowed processing rates, which advocacy groups say will hurt legitimate victims. — Jack Brook, Chicago Tribune, 29 June 2026 Commissioning budgets have tightened, development cycles have lengthened and the opportunities for growing indies to scale have become increasingly limited. — K.j. Yossman, Variety, 2 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for tightened

Adjective

The league is proposing both the domestic and international drafts would go 12 rounds, and that each draft would come with its own $200 million signing-bonus pool and hard slots, where an inflexible amount of money is tied to each pick.

— Evan Drellich, New York Times, 18 June 2026
For people navigating stigma or inflexible work schedules, that single requirement was often enough to stop them from starting or staying on treatment.

— Geri Stengel, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026

Definition of inflexible

Verb

Be a good child, do what they’re told, be the best child, a tremble in their hands, say nothing, tensed for the knock on the door.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 June 2026
Instead, he was intrigued by a scene in which Back visibly tensed up after the producers told him he was suspected of being Satoshi.

— Frank Landymore, Futurism, 9 Apr. 2026

Definition of tensed

Verb

Stars including Reese Witherspoon, Emma Stone and Paul Rudd were seen departing the venue after the festivities began Friday evening and stretched until the early hours of Saturday morning.

— Ilana Kaplan, PEOPLE, 5 July 2026
Brazil were energetic and vertical, Vinicius Junior and Rayan stretched their opponents and Gabriel Martinelli’s stoppage-time winner was just reward.

— Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 5 July 2026

Definition of stretched

Adjective

The things museums collect are often obstinate and unyielding; research and context can be a way of coaxing them to speak.

— Kelly Presutti, ARTnews.com, 26 June 2026
While investigators remain unyielding, no charges have been filed against Terri or anyone else in the case, nor has anyone officially been named as a suspect in Kyron’s disappearance.

— Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 23 June 2026

Definition of unyielding

Adjective

How to Restore Absorbency to Towels To restore absorbency to stiff towels, Sokolowski recommends performing a deep clean.

— Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 30 June 2026
Vigorously whisk remaining 1 cup of cream with powdered sugar in a large bowl until medium-stiff peaks form, 2 to 3 minutes.

— Erin Merhar, Southern Living, 30 June 2026

Definition of stiff

Adjective

For a woman who died in 1818, her face seems slightly too taut, her eyes slightly too wide, her skin slightly too bright.

— Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 3 July 2026
Bass is taut and clean, midrange clear and expressive, and treble crisp and extended for a high definition performance with all manner of music.

— Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026

Definition of taut

Adjective

Instead of forcing business owners to constantly upload mountains of paper invoices or rigid bank statements, Magellan monitors the real-time transactions flowing directly through its platform.

— Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 30 June 2026
The trust could provide financial support for a broad group of beneficiaries defined by you, rather than by rigid family-tree relationships.

— Martin Shenkman, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026

Definition of rigid

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tighten

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“Tightened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tightened. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of tightened

adjective

verb

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