transitive to turn something such as a screw or a lid until it is tight and you cannot turn it any more
Synonyms and related words
To loosen or tighten
loosen
unwind
slacken
2
transitive to pull something such as a rope or a belt until it is straighter or until it fits more tightly around something
Synonyms and related words
To loosen or tighten
loosen
unwind
slacken
2a
intransitive if something such as a rope or a chain tightens, it becomes straighter or it fits more tightly around something
Synonyms and related words
To loosen or tighten
loosen
unwind
slacken
3
intransitive/transitive if a muscle or a part of your body tightens, or if you tighten it, it becomes hard and stiff, often because you are angry or afraid
Her stomachtightened, anticipating the fight that was to come.
Synonyms and related words
Relating to muscles and tendons
cartilaginous
contract
motor
3a
intransitive if your mouth tightens, or if your lips tighten, your mouth looks narrow because you are angry or annoyed
Synonyms and related words
To show, or to be expressed in the face or eyes
clear
crease
creep
4
intransitive if your hand tightens, or if your fingers tighten, you hold something more tightly
Synonyms and related words
To hold something or someone
carry
hold on
hang on
5
transitive to make a set of rules stricter or harder to avoid
a bill that will tighten tradingrules
tighten control:
The governmentwants to tighten its control on the press.
Synonyms and related words
To limit or control something or someone
draw a line in the sand
limit
control
5a
to make an arrangement for guarding or protecting something more effectively
Security at foreignconsulates was tightened after the attack.
Synonyms and related words
To protect or defend someone or something
protect
defend
save
6
if a contest tightens, the gap between the contenders becomes narrower
Everyone expects the race to tighten as election day approaches.
Submitted from: United Kingdom on 27/11/2019
phrases
tighten your belt
tighten your grip on something
phrasal verbs
tighten up
tighten
verb
US /ˈtaɪt(ə)n/
Other entries for this word
tighten upphrasal verb
tighten your beltphrase
tighten your grip on somethingphrase
Word Forms
present tense
I/you/we/they
tighten
he/she/it
tightens
present participle
tightening
past tense
tightened
past participle
tightened
DEFINITIONS6
turn something until it fits tightly
pull/be pulled until tight
hold something more tightly
become harder/narrower
make something stricter
phrases
phrasal verbs
1
transitive to turn something such as a screw or a cover until it is tight and you cannot turn it any more
Synonyms and related words
To loosen or tighten
loosen
unloose
unwind
2
transitive to pull something such as a rope or a belt until it is straighter or until it fits more tightly around something
Synonyms and related words
To loosen or tighten
loosen
unloose
unwind
2a
intransitive if something such as a rope or a chain tightens, it becomes straighter or it fits more tightly around something
Synonyms and related words
To loosen or tighten
loosen
unloose
unwind
3
intransitive if your hand tightens, or if your fingers tighten, you hold something more tightly
Synonyms and related words
To hold something or someone
hold on
carry
hang on
4
intransitive/transitive if a muscle or a part of your body tightens, or if you tighten it, it becomes hard and stiff, often because you are angry or afraid
Her stomachtightened, anticipating the fight that was to come.
Synonyms and related words
Relating to muscles and tendons
cartilaginous
contract
motor
4a
intransitive if your mouth tightens, or if your lips tighten, your mouth looks narrow because you are angry or annoyed
Synonyms and related words
To show, or to be expressed in the face or eyes
clear
crease
creep
5
tighten
or
tighten up
transitive to make a set of rules stricter or harder to avoid
a bill that will tighten tradingrules
tighten control:
The governmentwants to tighten its control on the press.
Synonyms and related words
To limit or control something or someone
draw a line in the sand
limit
control
5a
to make an arrangement for guarding or protecting something more effectively
Security at foreignconsulates was tightened after the attack.
Synonyms and related words
To protect or defend someone or something
protect
defend
save
6
if a contest tightens, the gap between the contenders becomes narrower
Everyone expects the race to tighten as election day approaches.