tighten

[ tahyt-n ]

/ ˈtaɪt n /

to make or become tight or tighter.

Origin of tighten

First recorded in 1720–30; tight + -en¹

secure, anchor, fasten.

tight·en·er, noun o·ver·tight·en, verb re·tight·en, verb self-tight·en·ing, adjective

un·tight·en, verb (used with object)

Earlier this year, security at major airports was tightened because of a tip that al-Asiri had been working on a cell phone bomb.

A Gift to the Jihadis: The Unseen Airport Security Threat |Clive Irving |December 27, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
Perhaps encouraged by such accommodative silence, China has tightened its grip over Tibet.

Tibet’s Ticking Time Bomb |Kapil Komireddi |January 18, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
In July 2013, the U.S. and the European Union tightened loopholes on a ban on gold exports to Iran.

Turkey And Iran Accused Of Oil-For-Cash Sanctions Scheme |Jamie Dettmer |December 28, 2013 |DAILY BEAST
When Hayei Sarah is read, these restrictions are often tightened, taking away more rights to make room for the festival weekend.

Arrested for Learning Torah in Hebron |A. Daniel Roth |October 28, 2013 |DAILY BEAST

The lap band also requires multiple follow-up visits so that it can be tightened as patients adjust to eating smaller portions.

Chris Christie’s Weight Loss: The Lap-Band Procedure Explained |Lizzie Crocker |May 8, 2013 |DAILY BEAST
The thumb-screw a being loosened, the compass legs may be rudely adjusted for distance apart, and a is then tightened.

Modern Machine-Shop Practice, Volumes I and II |Joshua Rose
Mr. Dootleby threw open his coat, tightened his grasp on his walking-stick, and said, very quietly: "What are you doing?"

Tin-Types Taken in the Streets of New York |Lemuel Ely Quigg
With corn and peas, it is better to have the water deep enough to cover the jars, for boiling after tops are tightened.

The Laurel Health Cookery |Evora Bucknum Perkins
She dropped her eyes and tightened her fingers around the shining drinking cup.

While Caroline Was Growing |Josephine Daskam Bacon
The muscles of Toms throat had tightened until he felt as though he was choking.

Within the Capes |Howard Pyle

tighten

/ (ˈtaɪtən) /

to make or become tight or tighter

tighten one's belt to economize

tightener, noun