tightens
Turns the screw
Tightens is the third-person singular of tighten—to make or become tighter.
A guitarist tightens strings to raise pitch.
Someone tightens a grip, a belt, or security measures.
Muscles tighten from tension or exercise.
Rules tighten when authorities impose stricter controls: The government tightens regulations on emissions.
Firm bilateral compression
- compressReduce volume by force
- narrowOf small width
- pinchSqueeze with fingertips
- clenchSqueeze tightly shut
grip · contract · shrink · bind · strangle · choke · throttle · wring
Increase in severity
- heightenIncrease in degree
- strengthenMake more robust
- reinforceAdd strength to something
- increaseGrowth in amount
sharpen · amplify · deepen · enhance · boost · consolidate · fortify · redouble
squeeze
Firm bilateral compression
clench · grip · contract · shrink · bind · strangle · choke · throttle · wring · stricture
escalate
Increase in severity
- heightenIncrease in degree
- strengthenMake more robust
- reinforceAdd strength to something
increase · sharpen · amplify · deepen · enhance · boost · consolidate · fortify · redouble · magnify
fastens
Attaches or secures
anchors · latches · braces · ratchets · secures · chains · straps · buckles · cinches · screws
stiffens
Becomes less pliable
strains · coils · knots · contracts · steels · seizes · cramps · locks · grips · hardens
- tightened one's beltReduced personal spending
- tighten upMake less loose
- tighten one's beltReduce personal expenditures
- tighten your beltReduce spending voluntarily
- tightening upMaking something more secure
- belt tighteningReducing expenditures deliberately
tighten, tightened, tightening, tighter, tightener, untighten, untightened, untightening, overtightened