tighten

US /ˈtaɪ.tən/

UK /ˈtaɪ.tən/

1.

make or become tight or tighter

:

•

Please tighten the screws on this chair.

•

The rope began to tighten around his wrist.

:

fasten secure clench contract constrict

:

loosen relax slack untighten unfasten

2.

make or become more strict or severe

:

•

The government decided to tighten border controls.

•

The company needs to tighten its financial policies.

:

strengthen reinforce intensify harden firm up

:

relax loosen ease soften liberalize

:

belt-tightening tighten up tighten your belt