Tighten: meaning, definitions and examples

Used when making something firmer or more secure by applying more pressure or force.

• Make sure to tighten the lid on the jar to keep the contents fresh
• The mechanic said to tighten the bolts to ensure the wheel doesn't come off

Used to describe making something safe or preventing it from moving or being accessed. It can also imply a sense of protection.

• The soldiers worked to secure the perimeter of the camp
• She used a password to secure her online account

Used when making something stronger or more effective, often referring to structures, relationships, or abilities.

• They took measures to strengthen the bridge after the earthquake
• The team is working hard to strengthen their defense

Used when attaching or closing something securely, often involving straps, buttons, or locks.

• Please fasten your seatbelt before the airplane takes off
• He had to fasten the buttons on his shirt

Use when you want to make something more secure or firm. Commonly used with physical objects like bolts or rules to make them stricter.

• You need to tighten the screws on that chair.
• They decided to tighten the regulations against pollution.

Use when making something stronger or more powerful, not necessarily by making it tighter or stricter. Can be used in physical, emotional, or abstract contexts.

• They aim to strengthen the relationship between the two countries.
• You should do exercises to strengthen your core muscles.

Use when describing an increase in strength, degree, or force of something. Often used in the context of emotions, actions, or conditions.

• The storm will continue to intensify throughout the night.
• Her efforts to win the competition began to intensify.

Use when talking about ensuring compliance with laws, rules, or agreements. Often used in legal or regulatory contexts.

• The police are here to enforce the law.
• The company plans to enforce stricter workplace safety rules.

Use this word when you want to make something more secure or firm by making it tighter. It is often used with screws, bolts, alliances, or security measures.

• Make sure to tighten the bolts on your bicycle
• The company decided to tighten security around the building after the incident

Used when you need to decrease or reduce the amount or frequency of something, often relating to spending, resources, or activities. It can have a connotation of making necessary reductions.

• We need to cut back on our expenses to save money for the trip
• The city plans to cut back on public transportation services

This word is used for minimizing or decreasing the size, amount, or degree of something. It is a general term and can be applied in various contexts such as waste, costs, or efforts.

• The company implemented new practices to reduce waste
• Reducing sugar intake can lead to better health

This word implies making something narrower or smaller by pressing or squeezing. Frequently used in a physiological or medical context, such as with blood vessels or muscles, and can have a negative connotation.

• The snake's body started to constrict its prey
• Emotional stress can constrict blood vessels