TIGHTEN

v. 1 Sometimes, tighten down or up. anchor, fasten, fix, tense, secure Tighten those last two screws and you're finished 2 make tighter or tenser or stronger, strengthen He tightened his grip on my hand 3 Sometimes, tighten up. make more rigorous or strict or stringent or severe or restrictive, close gaps in We ought to tighten security at the warehouse 4 Sometimes, tighten up. tauten, stiffen, tense, close I felt the noose begin to tighten round my neck