tighten

Secure by turning

Tighten means to make or become tight—to increase tension, reduce slack, or secure more firmly.

You tighten a bolt, a belt, or your grip.

Muscles tighten with exertion or anxiety.

Rules and restrictions tighten when they become stricter: The government tightened border controls.

To tighten your belt is to reduce spending during hard times.

constrict

squeeze

Firm bilateral compression

compressReduce volume by force
narrowOf small width
shrinkDecrease in size

choke · pinch · contract · bind · restrict · throttle · cinch · grip · clench · constrain

fasten

screw

Threaded metal fastener

boltThreaded rod for nuts
secureProtected from harm
anchorSecures ships to seabed

fix · attach · clasp · clip · latch · lock · nail · pin · rivet · staple

compact

compress

Reduce volume by force

condenseMake more compact
shrinkDecrease in size
concentrateReduced, potent form

consolidate · dense · reduce · solidify · squash · tamp · pack · firm · bundle · cramp

regulate

restrict

To impose limits upon

controlAuthority to direct
limitMaximum allowed extent
constrainTo limit or restrict

curb · clamp down · crack down · enforce · regulate · stricture · curtail · rein in · police · monitor

reinforce

strengthen

Make more robust

fortifyMake stronger against threat
bolsterStrengthen or buttress
secureProtected from harm

stabilize · solidify · firm · stiffen · brace · support · buttress · harden · rigidify · reinforce

tense

tension

Stretched or strained state

stressPressure, mental or vocal
strainExcessive stretching force
anxietyPersistent apprehensive distress

nervousness · clench · brace · stiffen · knot · coil · wound up · on edge · apprehension · unease

Categories

adjustmentsadjustment, tweaks, adjust, shifts, fixes
garment verbsdon, doff, dress, undress, wear
securingfasten, secure, lock up, latch, bolt
strengthenstrengthen, reinforce, fortify, bolster, toughen
ropinglasso, lariat, roping, lassoing, dally
joiningjoin, attach, fasten, connect, bind

Opposites

tension/fastening

tightenloosen

Reduce tension or grip

slacken · relax · untighten · release · unfasten

restriction/control

tightenrelax

Become less tense

loosen · ease · slacken · liberalize · soften

Phrases

sleep tightNighttime parting wish
sit tightWait without acting
hold tightMaintain firm grasp
tight spotDifficult position, few options
hang tightWait patiently in place
tightened one's beltReduced personal spending

Family

tight, tights, tightness, tightened, tightens, tightening, tighter, tightest, tightener

Familiarity: Top 10,000
Profile: Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G