Meaning & use
tightened
Last updated
“tightened” is a form of “tighten”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
verbtransitive
Past tense of tighten: made something firmer or more secure by turning or pulling it.
Grammar: Takes an object: 'She tightened the screw.' The base form is 'tighten'.
Patterns
- tightened something
- tightened something on something
He tightened the lid on the jar before putting it away.
She tightened her shoelaces and started running.
The mechanic tightened the bolts with a wrench.
verbtransitive
Past tense of tighten: made a rule, control, or system stricter or more severe.
Grammar: Takes an object, often an abstract noun like 'rules', 'security', or 'control'.
Patterns
- tightened rules
- tightened security
- tightened control over something
The airport tightened security after the incident.
The company tightened its rules on working from home.
The government tightened control over the media.
verbintransitive
Past tense of tighten: became firmer or more tense, especially of muscles or a feeling in the body.
Grammar: No object is needed; the subject is the thing that becomes tight, as in 'Her grip tightened.'
Patterns
- something tightened
- someone's grip tightened
His jaw tightened when he heard the news.
Her grip on the railing tightened as the boat rocked.
The muscles in my back tightened after the long drive.
Word forms
| base form | tighten |
|---|---|
| third person singular | tightens |
| present participle | tightening |
| past tense | tightened |
| past participle | tightened |
Common combinations
- tightened security
- Security was tightened at all entrances.
- tightened its grip
- The regime tightened its grip on the region.
- tightened the screws
- He tightened the screws on the cabinet door.
- tightened the rules
- The league tightened the rules on player transfers.
- tightened her belt
- After losing her job, she tightened her belt and spent less.
Synonyms and how they differ
- fastened
- Used for making something stay closed or fixed; 'tightened' suggests making it firmer, not just closing it.
- strengthened
- Often used for making rules or control stronger; it is more general than 'tightened'.
- stiffened
- Used when something becomes less flexible, often muscles or a material; 'tightened' can also mean this but is broader.
Opposites
Word family
- tighten verb
- The base form: to make or become tight.
- tight adjective
- Firm, secure, or fitting closely.
- tightly adverb
- In a firm or secure way, as in 'hold on tightly'.
- tightening noun
- The act of making something tighter, as in 'a tightening of the rules'.
Commonly confused: tightened or tighten? tightened or tidy?
tightened vs tighten
'Tighten' is the base form used in the present tense and after 'to', while 'tightened' is only for the past tense or after 'have'.
tightened vs tidy
A different word meaning neat or to make neat; it sounds a little similar but has nothing to do with making something tight.
Practice
She ______ the lid as hard as she could, but it still leaked.
Choose one answer.
The sentence describes a completed action in the past, so the past tense 'tightened' is needed. 'Tighten' is the base form and would not fit with the past-time meaning here.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “tightened”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.