Synonyms of tightening

tightening

verb

present participle of tighten

as in tensing

to draw tight

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• tensing
• stretching
• tautening
• straining
• lengthening
• elongating
• extending
• constricting
• cinching

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• loosening
• relaxing
• easing
• slackening
• slacking

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of tightening

The song stays coiled, neither tightening its grip nor exploding into noise. — Sadie Sartini Garner, Pitchfork, 4 Oct. 2026

Despite short-term rate headwinds, tech giants are actively securing long-term power purchase agreements (PPAs) to support next-generation data centers, tightening overall power-market fundamentals. — Michael Khouw, CNBC, 2 Oct. 2026

The bands, alumni and game-day traditions still frame the scene, but conference races are tightening and every possession begins to carry a little more weight. — Wilton Jackson, AJC.com, 1 Oct. 2026

Its response to a tightening labor market has been to improve fieldworker benefits, including paid time off, holidays, health coverage, and training that goes beyond technical credentials. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 30 Sep. 2026

The recommendations include limiting the retention of data collected by license plate readers and other sources to seven days, further tightening the 21-day limit set in the new law. — Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 25 Sep. 2026

Donalds rips opponent’s ‘complete 180’ as Dem’s own 2016 words come back to haunt him in tightening gov race. — FOXNews.com, 25 Sep. 2026

School districts adopting or tightening phone restrictions, changing what a child needs a device to handle during the school day. — Ashley Lynch, Miami Herald, 24 Sep. 2026

Recent polling shows the race tightening in a state that hasn’t elected a Democratic senator since the 1930s. — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 24 Sep. 2026