tighten

A verb used to indicate the act of making something more secure, firm, or tight, or of becoming tighter.

ruГлагол, используемый для обозначения действия по закреплению, упрочнению или сжатию чего-либо, или становлению более тугим.esVerbo que se usa para indicar la acción de apretar, asegurar, reforzar o comprimir algo, o de volverse más tenso o estricto.frVerbe utilisé pour désigner l'action de rendre quelque chose plus serré, plus ferme ou plus tendu, ou de devenir plus rigide ou contracté.deDeutsches Verb, das bedeutet, etwas fester zu machen, zu straffen, anzuziehen oder zu spannen, bzw. selbst fester, straffer oder strammer zu werden.ptVerbo usado para indicar a ação de apertar, firmar, tornar mais tenso, rígido ou seguro algo que estava frouxo, ou de se tornar mais apertado.zh表示使某物变得更紧、更牢固或更收缩，或指收紧、拉紧、加强控制等动作。arفعل يدل على إحكام شيء أو تثبيته أو شده بقوة، أو جعله أكثر إحكاماً أو ضيقاً أو توتراً.

1. Make tight or tighter B1 formal

   To pull or fasten something so that it becomes more secure or firm.

   • He tightened the screws on the shelf.
   • She tightened her grip on the handle.
   • The mechanic tightened the bolts on the wheel.

   ruЗатянутьesApretar o tensarfrresserrer, serrerdefestziehenptApertarzh拧紧arشدّ

   Synonyms: cinchclampconstrictfastensecuresqueezestrainstretchtautentense

   Antonyms: loosenrelaxreleaseslackenunfasten

2. Become tight or tighter B1 formal

   To become more tense, firm, or constricted.

   • The rope tightened as he pulled it.
   • Her muscles tightened with fear.
   • The knot tightened when the boat moved.

   ruЗатягиватьсяesApretarse o tensarsefrse resserrerdeSich straffenptFicar mais apertadozh变紧arيشتد

   Synonyms: constrictcontractstiffentautentense

   Antonyms: loosenrelaxreleaseslacken

3. Restrict B2 formal

   To make rules, controls, or conditions stricter or more limiting.

   • The government tightened security at the airport.
   • The company tightened its budget after the losses.
   • New laws tightened restrictions on pollution.

   ruУжесточитьesendurecerfrresserrer (restreindre)deVerschärfenptRestringirzh收紧arتشديد

   Synonyms: constrainreinforcestiffenstrengthentoughen

   Antonyms: easeloosenrelax

4. Narrow or limit B2 formal

   To reduce the range, scope, or availability of something.

   • The police tightened the search area.
   • The bank tightened its lending policies.
   • The deadline was tightened to just two weeks.

   ruСузить или ограничитьesrestringirfrrestreindredeEinengen oder begrenzenptRestringir ou limitarzh收紧或限制arتضييق أو تحديد النطاق

   Synonyms: constrainconstrictcurtaillimitnarrowreducerestrict

   Antonyms: easeexpandloosenrelaxwiden

• tightened past participle
• tightened past simple
• tightening present participle
• tightens third person singular

Phrasal variants: tighten up