tighten up

verb

tightened up; tightening up; tightens up
: to become more strict or effective or to make (something) more strict or effective
Security around the building has tightened up recently.
They tightened up security around the building.

Examples of tighten up in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Giants starting pitcher Adrian Houser felt his right arm tightening up, and a minutes later, an already lean San Francisco Giants rotation appeared to lose a second member in as many nights on Tuesday. — Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 26 Aug. 2026 The nonconference slate is no gauntlet, but things really tighten up around mid-October. — Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026 Borrowers seem to be tightening up their habits, but that discipline hasn’t brought costs down. — Sharon Wu, USA Today, 12 Aug. 2026 The rest of the way, the Dodgers tightened up their defense, and their bullpen shut down the Diamondbacks (63-56). — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 9 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for tighten up

Rhymes for tighten up

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Browse Nearby Words

tighten the screws
tighten up
tightfisted
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Cite this Entry

“Tighten up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tighten%20up. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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